Embraer reached an agreement with Regional, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air France, covering the purchase of six GE CF34-powered 190LRs valued at $189 million with options on a further six. Deliveries begin in the first quarter of 2007. The order replaces an existing commitment from the carrier for seven ERJ-145s. The 190s will be configured for 100 seats. Regional currently operates a fleet of 50 Brasilias, ERJ-135s and ERJ-145s.

Some 16,500 Boeing workers went on strike Friday after the employees, who are represented by the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, overwhelmingly rejected what the company termed its "best and final offer" earlier in the week. The workers are striking Boeing facilities in Washington, Kansas and Oregon including commercial transport manufacturing plants in Everett and Renton, Wash.

ATR finalized an agreement with Air Caledonie for three new aircraft, one ATR 42-500 and two 72-500s. The deal, valued at approximately $50 million, was announced at the Paris Air Show in June. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2006-07. Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry delivered the first of five ERJ-145s to China Eastern Airlines. Completion of deliveries is expected by April.

Nippon Cargo Airlines chose GE CF6-80C2 engines to power four 747-400Fs on order for delivery beginning in 2007. The deal is valued at more than $150 million, according to the engine maker. Sichuan Airlines chose IAE V2500s to power six A320s and two A319s on order.

Boeing's 787 will feature dual head-up displays and electronic flight bags as standard equipment, along with five 12x9-in. LCD screens in the cockpit, "much larger [screens] than previously seen in airplanes," the company said late Wednesday. It also said the Dreamliner will retain a significant amount of commonality with the 777. Differences training will take just five days, it noted.

CFM International said Eric Bachelet is now president and CEO of the 50/50 joint venture company between Snecma and GE. He replaces Pierre Fabre, who held the positions since September 2001 and left to become executive VP of Turbomeca, which like Snecma is owned by Safran Group. Bachelet, who joined Snecma in 1971, participated in the early design of the CFM56. Before assuming his new post, he was COO of Aircelle, which specializes in the design, manufacture and sale of engine nacelles.

KLM will deploy its first A330-200 in daily service between Amsterdam and Washington beginning today. The airline has ordered six A330-200s and will be leasing two more from ILFC. They gradually will replace its 767-300ERs.

Stockholm-based European Aeronautical Group signed a five-year agreement to supply Air Berlin with its Route Manual, eRM electronic Route Manual, Navdata and Airport Obstacle Database applications.