Volga-Dnepr Group said its first new-build IL-76TD-90VD freighter received Chapter 4 noise certification from ICAO. The company has ordered two of the 50-tonne freighters, which are equipped with PS-90a-76 engines and new avionics.

Embraer unveiled a corporate restructuring plan giving voting rights to all shareholders and making it easier to raise capital to fund future development. The plan must be approved by shareholders, who are scheduled to meet March 31. As part of the plan, CEO Mauricio Botelho would relinquish his title in 2007 and become chairman for a three-year period. A successor has not been named, but sources suggested Executive VP Frederico Curado as a possibility. According to Brazilian news reports, Botelho said the company might develop a business jet based on its commercial aircraft program.

Qantas confirmed to ATWOnline last week that its evaluation of the 777-200LR is ongoing despite local media reports indicating it had been shelved. Qantas CFO Peter Gregg told this website that the 777-200LR is "definitely under serious evaluation," although he was coy on the finer details of the operational options under examination.

Atlasjet of Turkey signed a $107 million deal to acquire three 90-seat CRJ900s. The airline has been using two 70-seat CRJ700s since last May on domestic routes. "Our decision to acquire the Bombardier CRJ900 as our larger regional jet was based directly on our experience with the CRJ700," Atlasjet GM Tuncay Doganer said.

Teledyne Controls said Shenzhen Airlines will add its AirFASE flight data analysis and reporting software tool and its Vision flight animation system to its existing flight operations quality assurance program.

Kaliningradavia leased a sixth 737-300.

British Mediterranean Airways, a franchise partner of British Airways, took delivery of the first of seven A321s yesterday. The aircraft, powered by IAE V2500s, seats 149 in a two-class layout. BMED currently flies three leased A320s and three leased A321s on routes from London Heathrow to the Middle East, central Asia and Africa.

China Eastern Airlines Wuhan's board approved the purchase of five ERJ-145LRs from Harbin Embraer, the joint venture between Embraer and AVIC II. China Airlines Jiangsu previously ordered five ERJ-145s (ATWOnline, March 25, 2005).