World Air Holdings, parent of World Airways and North American Airlines, signed a letter of intent to lease three 747-400SFs. The converted United Airlines passenger aircraft will be delivered in June 2008, November 2008 and May 2009 and will be leased for seven years. WAH President Jeff MacKinney said the company had been looking to expand its ACMI cargo operation, "where we have seen solid growth and new long-term contracts with our existing MD-11 freighter fleet."

AirAsia's first A320 arrived in Kuala Lumpur Thursday after a 19-plus-hr. journey from Toulouse.

The supervisory board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG yesterday approved an order for 12 CRJ900s that will be configured for 84 seats and will replace 50-seat CRJ200s. In a statement, the airline said, "The competitiveness and cost-efficiency of the regional fleet are of crucial importance in Lufthansa's European operations and for feeder flights to intercontinental connections at its major hubs."

Middle East Airlines and Syrian Arab Airlines are in the market for new lift. According to the Arab Air Carriers Organization, MEA is planning to add a new aircraft to its fleet in 2007 and one in 2008. In addition, it is evaluating the possibility of operating 50/70-seat regional aircraft. It expects to achieve a $40 million net profit for 2005 after earning $50 million in 2004 and is planning to float 10%-20% its shares on the Beirut Bourse next year. Syrian, meanwhile, is expected to finalize an order for three A330s and four A321s as early as year end.

Germanwings confirmed its June commitment for 18 A319s plus 12 options, signing a contract yesterday that will more than double the size of its fleet. The Cologne-based LCC already operates 19 A319s and three A320s. The new single-class, 156-seat aircraft will be powered by IAE V2500s in an engine deal worth more than $500 million, according to Pratt & Whitney. "The new A319s will ensure that we can continue our success that we enjoyed in the LCC market since October 2002," Germanwings Management Board Chairman Joachim Klein said.

Aeroflot signed to buy 30 95-seat RRJs in a deal worth $820 million, according to media reports. Deliveries of the SaM146-powered aircraft will begin in November 2008. The jet will be usable on international routes, as Sukhoi Civil Aviation and partners Finmeccanica and Boeing intend for it to conform to Western safety and environmental standards.

In what it called "the biggest fleet modernization in its history," Finnair yesterday said it will acquire nine A350-900s and three CFM56-5-powered A340-300Es (Enhanced). Value of the deal and engine choice for the A350s were not announced. The A350-900s will begin arriving in 2011. The dash 900 is the larger of the two versions. Finnair will take them in a 314-seat, two-class layout. Range of the type is 7,500 nm. (13,890 km.).

Boeing and Royal Air Maroc firmed up the carrier's July order for four 787s plus an option yesterday. RAM intends to use the aircraft on services to North America and on new routes in the Middle East and Africa. The first Dreamliner is scheduled for delivery in 2008. "The advantages the 787 brings to our long-haul fleet operations will allow RAM to expand profitably," Chairman and CEO Mohamed Berrada said.