Taca took delivery of the first of five A321s Sept. 23, becoming the first operator of the type in Latin America. It also was the region's first operator of the A319 and A320.

Boeing's aircraft assembly lines could be back in operation as early as Friday after the company and striking workers represented by the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers reached a tentative agreement on a three-year contract covering approximately 19,000 employees in the Seattle area, Wichita and Portland, Ore.

Hainan Airlines took its first CFM56-powered A319 on Sept. 23. The aircraft is configured for 134 passengers in single-class layout. It will be operated by Chang'an Airlines, a local branch of Hainan in Xi'an, Airbus said.

Insiders at Emirates confirmed to ATWOnline that Boeing has discussed with the airline a larger version of the 787-9, dubbed the dash 10, with a fuselage 6 m. longer than the 62-m.-long dash 9 variant. Seating 290 passengers in three-class configuration, the larger model would be essentially the same size as the 777-200 and has been high on Emirates' agenda for more than a year. It currently is in a "study phase." The carrier is understood to be close to making a selection between the 787 and A350, with an announcement expected at the Dubai Air Show in November.

Avion Group ordered four 777 freighters and took purchase rights on two more with deliveries beginning in February 2008. The aircraft will be offered on ACMI leases by Avion subsidiary Air Atlanta Icelandic. Additionally, Boeing said it is in "serious negotiations" to convert three of the carrier's 747-400 passenger aircraft into freighters. Boeing did not provide a separate value for the 777Fs but said that in combination with the possible conversion program, value of the transaction at list prices is approximately $1 billion.

Austrian Airlines' two A340-200s that were sold to a French investor last week will be converted to transport aircraft for the French army to replace DC-8s, sources close to the deal said. The Austrian board will decide by the end of this month whether to add two A330-200s or two 777-200ERs to its fleet to replace the A340s.

Emirates took delivery of its fifth 777-300ER of a total of 30 on order. The jet brings the Emirates fleet to 80 aircraft.

Air Arabia signed up for SITA INC's Flight Briefing Services package. The Sharjah-based carrier is the first LCC to opt for the system, which emulates industry best practice for fuel and environmental management as recommended by IATA in its Fuel Action Plan.