Adam SkyConnection Airlines, a two-year-old Indonesian LCC, has chosen Lufthansa Systems' flight management system navigation database services.

Bombardier Aerospace will spend $200 million to develop a manufacturing facility in Queretaro, Mexico, that eventually will be used to build major structural components. Initially, the plant will assemble wire harnesses for Bombardier aircraft. By the end of 2006, the company expects to have 300 employees at the facility and will double that number in 2007.

Boeing's third-quarter net income surged 122% to $1.01 billion from $456 million a year earlier as special gains and tax benefits more than offset the impact of the month-long strike at its Boeing Commercial Airplanes unit. On a per-share basis, gains from tax settlements represented nearly half of the company's $1.26 EPS fully diluted for the quarter, with the sale of its Rocketdyne unit adding a further 45 cents per share while the strike knocked 25-30 cents off EPS. ATWOnline calculated that on a gross basis, the strike cost Boeing $200-$240 million in profits.

Airbus has returned to Qantas with a longer-range version of the A340-500 in an effort to meet the carrier's requirement for an aircraft to fly from Sydney to London. However, Airbus COO Customers John Leahy conceded that the variant's performance is marginal with just 120 business and first class seats.

Kuwait-based startup Jazeera Airways took delivery of the first of four CFM56-5-powered A320s in Toulouse. The aircraft will seat 165.

Jet Airways confirmed its order, announced at the Paris Air Show (ATWOnline, June 15), for 10 A330-200s plus 10 options. Deliveries will begin in first-quarter 2007, making Jet the first Indian carrier to receive A330s. It currently operates A340s leased from South African Airways on services to London. These aircraft will be replaced with 777-300ERs.

Aeroflot will add seven A321s to its medium-haul fleet, Airbus announced yesterday. Deliveries of the newly ordered aircraft are scheduled to begin in fourth-quarter 2006. Each will feature a two-class cabin configuration seating 170 and will be powered by two CFM56-5s. The aircraft are intended for Aeroflot's Russian and European networks. The carrier already has a significant investment in the A320 family, operating eight A319s, seven A320s and three A321s prior to the new purchase.

Boeing yesterday completed the sale of its operations in Arnprior, Ontario, to Arnprior Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Industries (ATWOnline, Aug. 4). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.