Kingfisher Airlines appears set to place a $2 billion Airbus order at this week's Dubai Air Show. The six-month-old carrier is likely to order 30 A320s and 20 ATR turboprops, according to media reports and at least two company executives, who confirmed the order to reporters. The startup placed a $3 billion order consisting of five A380s, five A350-800s and five A330-200s at the Paris Air Show last summer (ATWOnline, June 16).

Sibir Airlines is working toward a goal of having an all-Western fleet by 2008. It currently operates seven 737-500s and five A310-200s as well as 30 Tu-154Ms and nine Il-86s. Next year it hopes to operate 15-20 Western-made aircraft, possibly including some 737-300s. A sixth A310 could join the fleet by year end. It intends to phase out two relatively new Tu-204s that have not lived up to efficiency expectations. Sibir, the second-largest Russian airline, holds a 14% share of the Russian aviation market, rising to 20% for domestic operations.

Spanair said yesterday that it took delivery of a new 156-seat A320.

Copa Airlines of Panama took delivery of its first Embraer 190, which will be operated in a two-class configuration with 94 seats. Copa holds firm orders on a dozen 190s with options on an additional 18. They are scheduled to be delivered through 2008.

Airbus and Boeing will face off at next week's Dubai Air Show, which begins Nov. 20. Airbus will bring its A380, marking the aircraft's first appearance at an air show outside Europe. It will be painted in the livery of host airline Emirates, the largest customer with orders for 45, and will participate in the daily flying display. Airbus also is expected to provide further information on the newly launched A350. Boeing, meanwhile, will bring the 777-200LR fresh off its record-setting 11,664-m. (21,601 km.) nonstop flight between Hong Kong and London (ATWOnline, Nov.

Kenya Airways ordered its fourth 777-200ER and placed an option for a fifth, Boeing announced yesterday. KQ also will lease its sixth 767-300ER. The firm 777 will deliver in 2007 and be powered by Trent 800s.

Martinair ordered CTT Systems' Zonal Drying System to be installed on three A320s in spring 2006.

Aviareto, a joint venture between SITA SC and the Irish government charged by the Preparatory Commission for the International Registry under the auspices of ICAO to establish and operate the International Registry of Mobile Assets, said the registry will go live March 1 as Malaysia recently became the 8th country to ratify the Cape Town Treaty, effectively bringing it into force (ATWOnline, Nov. 8).