Air Europa finalized an agreement for the purchase of 18 737-800s announced at last month's Paris Air Show. The order is valued at approximately $1.2 billion at list prices, Boeing said. Deliveries begin in 2007 with three new airplanes to be delivered annually. SkyEurope finalized its previously announced order for four 737-700s worth $220 million at list prices. The order includes purchase rights for up to 16 additional airplanes. The carrier also will lease 12 737s from GE Commercial Aviation Services. All 16 will be equipped with winglets.

British Airways launched a review of its long-haul options primarily for the replacement of its 767 fleet and supplemental aircraft for its 777 fleet. It also is considering the 747ADV but wants to see the A380 in airline service before deciding. CEO Rod Eddington, who will retire on Sept. 30, earlier told ATWOnline that he studied the 777-300ER as an ideal 747-400 replacement. Responding to questions from the Financial Times at BA's annual shareholders meeting, Chairman Martin Broughton added that the airline also is looking at the 777-200LR.

Boeing officially launched the 737-900ER--formerly the 737-900X--on the strength of an order for up to 60 worth $3.9 billion from Lion Air of Indonesia. The order includes 30 firm plus purchase rights for 30 more. Deliveries begin in the first half of 2007. Lion Air had been expected to announce an order for 737-700s/-800s last spring (ATWOnline, May 27).

Airbus unveiled its new management structure under President and CEO Gustav Humbert yesterday as the organization disclosed that Executive VP-Operations Gerard Blanc decided to leave the company. Reportedly, Blanc had hoped to succeed Noel Forgeard at the top of the entity. Succeeding Blanc is Karl-Heinz Hartmann, formerly executive VP and head of Airbus's center of excellence. Charles Champion was appointed COO but will retain his role as head of the A380 program. He becomes No. 2 under Humbert and deputy to the CEO. CCO John Leahy was appointed COO-customers.

TAAG Angola Airlines reached a definitive agreement with Boeing for the purchase of two 777-200ERs and four 737-700 Quick Change aircraft. The agreement also includes options for an additional 777-200ER and two more 737-700QCs. According to Boeing, the firm order is valued at roughly $649.6 million at list prices and approximately $990 million with options included. The aircraft will be delivered next year, with the first 777-200ER and 737-700 scheduled to arrive in July. They will replace the current fleet of two 747-300s and five 737-200s.

Air New Zealand took delivery of its first Q300 turboprop. The 50-seat aircraft is one of 17 ordered by the carrier in October.

Boeing listed an order for five 777s on its website from an unannounced customer. Embraer reported a total of 60 deliveries for the first half, including 53 commercial aircraft. This is somewhat less than half of the 145 deliveries company officials expect to report for all of 2005. Firm orders in the first six months included six ERJ-145s and 72 170s/190s. In the second quarter alone, 58 firm orders for the 170/190 family were tallied. The firm order backlog, which includes business, commercial and military aircraft, is valued at $10.9 billion.

Boeing and China Cargo Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, finalized an agreement for the acquisition of two 747-400ER freighters valued at $430 million at list prices. The carrier will take delivery of the aircraft in July 2006 and August 2007 and they will be used to expand the operating capacity of its routes. At present, its fleet consists of six MD-11Fs.