Boeing announced late yesterday the signing of a general purchase agreement with China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group for 80 737NGs, completing a deal launched last November with a commitment for 70 737s made at the Dubai Air Show (ATWOnline, April 11). Fifty of the 70 aircraft eventually were booked the following month, with the remaining 20 ordered in January. The airframer said it would finalize agreements for the distribution of the new aircraft order with individual Chinese carriers in the coming weeks.

The factions within Airbus that are pushing for a redesign of the A350 gained another ally in Singapore Airlines CEO Chew Choon Seng. Last month, ILFC Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy, whose company ordered 12 A350s in November, stunned the aviation world when he called on Airbus to abandon its A350 design (ATWOnline, March 30), based in large part on the A330, and build an all-new aircraft with a new fuselage and wing to compete with the clean-sheet 787.

Boeing is expected to sign contracts shortly with Chinese airlines for 80 737s. The deal is the second part of an order announced late last year for 70 737s (ATWOnline, Nov. 22, 2005). Hainan Airlines will take 15, China Southern Airlines 10, Xiaman Airlines five and Shandong Airlines six, with the balance taken by Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. Airbus secured a similar commitment for 150 A320s last year but apparently signed a contract with CAAC, listing the orders as part of the year's record-breaking sales.

Boeing holds a healthy lead over Airbus in terms of new orders for March and the first quarter of 2006, while Airbus delivered more aircraft in the quarter. Airbus booked orders for 19 aircraft in March comprising three A320 family aircraft, four A330s, three 340-300s and nine A350-900s. Finnair was responsible for the majority of the sales, including the A350s and A340s. In March 2005, Airbus booked orders for 80 aircraft of which all but two were narrowbodies.

BAE Systems on Friday informed the London Stock Exchange that it has "entered into discussions with European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. regarding the sale of its 20% shareholding in Airbus." In the brief statement, the company also said that "discussions are at an early stage." According to the Associated Press, EADS has valued BAE's stake at €3.5 billion ($4.3 billion). BAE Systems' primary contribution to Airbus is design and production of wings.

Air Europa of Spain converted purchase rights for 16 737-800s into firm orders in a deal worth approximately $1 billion at list prices. Deliveries are scheduled between 2010 and 2014. The carrier will use the new aircraft on domestic routes, including to the Balearic and Canary islands, as well as on European and North African routes.

Boeing booked orders for 86 new aircraft in the March 1-March 30 period, according to information on its website. These comprised 34 737s, including 30 from GE Commercial Aviation Services, and 52 787s. Qantas firmed 45 787 commitments announced last year, Kenya Airways took six and an unidentified customer took one. In March 2005, Boeing booked orders for 11 jets, all 737s.

Hamburg International finalized its $170 million order for CFM56-5Bs to power 14 A319s. It will take delivery of the aircraft in 2008-09 and use them on European charter routes and dedicated flights to Africa and the Middle East.