Boeing is carrying out a three-week flight test program on a 777-300ER intended for ANA at its Glasgow, Mont., test facility to demonstrate lower noise features. The Quiet Technology Demonstrator 2 program is an equal cost-sharing project among Boeing, General Electric, Goodrich Corp.'s Aerostructures division and NASA. Concepts being tested include chevrons on the engine exhaust ducts and new acoustic treatment for the GE90 engine inlet. Aerodynamic fairings for the main landing gear designed by Goodrich under contract to NASA also will be tested.

Royal Air Maroc and Boeing signed an MOU July 31 covering the purchase of up to five 787s. Formal negotiations are expected to conclude next month. Engine choice and delivery dates were not disclosed.

General Electric announced that Bradley Mottier, currently president of Unison Industries LLC, a wholly owned GE subsidiary, will become VP and GM of the Services business within GE Transportation, Aircraft Engines, beginning next month. Mottier, a 25 year-veteran of Unison, was appointed president in April 2002 when GE acquired the company. He will be succeeded at Unison by Christina Alvord, GM at Middle River Aircraft Systems.

Boeing yesterday announced orders from EgyptAir and Turkish Airlines covering up to 20 737-800s, while the Boeing Orders website also showed new orders from AeroMexico for five and AirTran for six as well as 21 new 737 orders from "unidentified" customers. The EgyptAir order covers six firm 737-800s plus options on an equal number valued at $850 million. Turkish Airlines' order represents the firming of eight options from an order placed in 2004 for 15 737s. Boeing valued the new business at $542 million.

Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines and Xiamen Airlines yesterday finalized commitments for 42 787s, China's Xinhua News Agency reported. Orders originally were announced in January for 60 787s from six Chinese carriers (ATWOnline, Jan. 31), but China Southern and Hainan Airlines reportedly have not finalized their orders. Air China and China Eastern each will take 15 787s, Shanghai will buy nine and Xiamen is taking three, the Associated Press reported citing Xinhua.

Carpatair of Romania plans to add three former Jetsgo F100s to its fleet.

Bombardier confirmed it is in negotiations with a Turkish startup carrier, Izmir Hava Yollari AS, for a deal valued at $275 million. It would include the purchase of three CRJ900s, two Q400s and five of the proposed CSeries large regional jets. "What has been signed is a proposal or an LOI [letter of intent]," Bombardier spokesperson Burt Cruickshank told ATWOnline Friday. "We won't make a statement until a purchase agreement is signed." If the deal is consummated, the carrier would be the first customer for the new CSeries, which Bombardier has not launched formally as yet.

Pakistan's Airblue ordered eight A320-200s and two A330-200s valued at $800 million. The airline, which started operations in 2004, operates three A320s. It is one of three private carriers in Pakistan. The order is in part a response to additional overseas route allocations from the Pakistan government. The A320s will be used on domestic routes and the A330s on flights to the UK.