A flurry of December activity, highlighted by an order for 150 A320 family aircraft from China Aviation Supply Corp., raised Airbus's 2005 sales total to 1,111 gross orders and 1,055 net orders, propelling it past Boeing in terms of new orders for a fifth consecutive year.

Embraer ended 2005 with 120 commercial aircraft deliveries comprising 46 170s, 14 175s, 12 190s, 46 ERJ-145s and two ERJ-135s. Two 190s scheduled for delivery in December were delivered in January and delivery of two 170s sold by Embraer's defense segment to a state-run airline was rescheduled to this year. The airframer delivered 141 aircraft in 2005 and held a firm order backlog, including defense and business aircraft, valued at $10.4 billion. It has firm orders for 45 members of the ERJ-145 family and 322 orders for 170/190 aircraft.

International Aero Engines said Friday its contract with Mexican startup Volaris to provide V2500 engines for its order of up to 56 A319s (ATWOnline, Jan. 13) will be worth up to $950 million if all options are exercised. The aircraft order consists of 16 firm and 40 options. Volaris also signed a long-term engine MRO agreement that includes comprehensive support and off-wing services under the recently launched V2500Select approach.

Volvo Aero signed a SEK1.1 billion ($142.5 million) deal to produce the fan case for the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, which will power the 787. Deliveries will begin at year end.

Mexican startup Volaris signed a deal with Airbus yesterday for 16 firm A319s and 40 options on A320 family aircraft. The aircraft will be configured for 144 passengers in a single-class layout and will be powered by IAE V2500s. Volaris will commence revenue flights in March with four leased A319s from its hub in Toluca, serving domestic markets. "The A319 is the ideal aircraft for the startup of our operations," Chairman Pedro Aspe said.

Italy's Air One, which operates an all-737 fleet to 23 domestic destinations, repositioned itself as a European player yesterday by signing a contract with Airbus for 30 A320s and 60 options. The deal reportedly is worth $1.8 billion at list prices. The CFM56-5B6/P-powered aircraft will be configured in a two-class layout seating 159 and gradually will replace the carrier's leased fleet of 21 737-400s, six dash 300s and three dash 200s.

Qantas Regional subsidiary QantasLink said it will commit five of its seven new 72-seat Q400s to service in Queensland in northeast Australia, increasing capacity in the region by 18% in the coming months. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery by July.

Boeing said it delivered 73 commercial aircraft in the final quarter of 2005 comprising four 717s, 52 737NGs, four 747s, three 767s and 10 777s. Deliveries for the full year numbered 290 of which 212 were 737NGs.