Tampa Cargo said it notified Aeronavali and Cargo Aircraft Management of its firm commitment to be the launch operator of the 767-200SF. Tampa Cargo agreed to lease up to four 767-200SFs, with an unspecified number of options, from Cargo Aircraft Management after the passenger-to-freighter conversions of the aircraft are completed by Aeronavali. The first two are scheduled to be delivered in September and December.

Boeing completed the previously announced sale of its Commercial Airplanes operations in Kansas and Oklahoma to Onex Corp. (ATWOnline, Feb. 23). The transaction was valued at roughly $1.5 billion, including cash of approximately $1.1 billion and the assumption of certain liabilities, Onex said. The purchased operations include Boeing's commercial airplane manufacturing facilities in Wichita, Kan., and Tulsa and McAlester, Okla.

China Southern Airlines took delivery of its fourth and final A330 this week. The aircraft is slated to be used initially on the carrier's domestic routes from Baiyun International Airport to Beijing and Shanghai.

ARINC and Jeppesen announced an alliance that will integrate "best of class" electronic flight bag components from each company to produce an advanced EFB system. ARINC will provide the airborne data communications and document-viewer technology along with EFB integration and hardware support, while Jeppesen will supply its software, data and applications, including digital terminal charts and content administration tools. Jeppesen also will deliver its ground-breaking en route moving map and airport moving map technologies.

Alaska Airlines yesterday placed an order with Boeing for 35 737-800s, with an option to acquire an additional 15 and purchase rights for a further 50. According to the carrier, the value of the order at list prices is roughly $2.3 billion. "While we still have work to do on our operational performance, we are beginning to have visibility into a cost structure that will allow us to be profitable in this changed environment," Alaska CEO Bill Ayer said. "This order positions us for growth opportunities ahead."

SkyEurope took delivery of four former easyJet 737-300s last month. The aircraft will be based at its hub in Budapest.

Cabot Aviation, on behalf of DaimlerChrysler Services North America, sold and delivered a former Alaska Airlines JT8D-217A-powered MD-82 to 1Time Airlines in South Africa.

Boeing and a group of its machinists, represented by the International Assn. of Machinists, began formal contract negotiations last week during which IAM presented its proposed modification to the existing collective bargaining agreement, which will expire at midnight on Sept. 1. The contract covers Boeing employees in the Seattle area, Wichita and Portland.