For centuries, explorers and traders have searched the oceans for the strongest winds, like the Southern Ocean's Roaring Forties. Now, with the help of Airservices Australia, several airlines are pursuing those same winds on their routes to Australia, reducing flight times, saving increasingly valuable fuel and lowering emissions. Dubai-based Emirates is one of the first to take advantage of Airservices' latest Flex Track initiative, cutting flight times on a typical journey by 25 min. and saving up to 8,000 kg. of fuel.

Qantas finalized its commitment for up to 115 787s with a firm order for 45 worth $5.8 billion, options for 20 and purchase rights for another 50. The signing ceremony confirming a Dec. 14 announcement was a highlight of celebrations marking inauguration of the airline's Sydney-San Francisco service. The first four 787s will be delivered to Jetstar International in July 2008, with another 28 to follow for Jetstar and Qantas by 2011. Qantas will get its first Dreamliner in mid-2009. The 787s will replace a fleet of A330s and 767s.

CSA Czech Airlines took delivery of a new CFM 56-5B4/P-powered A320 yesterday in Toulouse. It will continue to take delivery of its order for six A320s and six A319s (leased and purchased) through September 2008.

Finnair gave Airbus's A350 program a boost yesterday by signing a contract for nine A350-900s, three A340-300Es and four options, firming a commitment it made in December (ATWOnline, Dec. 8, 2005). The first of the Trent 1700-powered A350s will be delivered in 2012 and seat 314 in a two-class configuration. The long-haul fleet renewal is part of Finnair's Asian growth strategy. Airbus said it now has 182 firm orders and commitments from 14 customers for the A350.

US Airways has gone retro with the dedication of an A319 painted in the white, orange and red livery of Pacific Southwest Airlines, one of the three original carriers that merged to create US Airways. It plans to dedicate other aircraft this year with the liveries of Allegheny, Piedmont and America West. The tail numbers of these so-called "throwback" aircraft will change to reflect the original two-letter designators.

Air Deccan signed a V2500Select services agreement with International Aero Engines to support its existing fleet and an order for 30 V2500-powered A320s. The latest engine order is valued at more than $500 million. The program includes engine upgrades planned for release and retrofit in 2008.

As Boeing trumpets the early success of its Dreamliner program, the pressure on Airbus to counter its rival's offering continues to grow. ILFC Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy, whose company ordered 12 A350s in November, surprised an audience at the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading conference in Orlando yesterday by calling on Airbus to abandon its current A350 design plans, which are based partially on the A330, and build an all-new aircraft with a new fuselage and new wing that can compete with the technologically advanced 787.

Bombardier Aerospace reported earnings before interest and taxes of $107 million for the fourth fiscal quarter ended Jan. 31, up 25.9% from $85 million in the year-ago quarter.