Boeing reached agreements with several Chinese suppliers for production of commercial aircraft parts and components, including parts for the 787, worth an estimated $600 million. The company said it finalized a deal for the 787 composite rudder, the 737 forward entry door and the 737 automatic over-wing exit door with Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Co. Ltd., a China Aviation Industry Corp.-I affiliate. Also completed were contracts for 787 wing-to-body fairing panels with Hafei Aviation Industry Co., an AVIC-II affiliated company.

EADS for the second time postponed appointment of its top executive team, including a new Airbus CEO to succeed Noel Forgeard, owing to continuing disagreements between management and shareholders. Media reports suggested that current COO Gustav Humbert would be tapped to replace Forgeard, who has been designated to become co-CEO of EADS along with EADS Defense and Security Systems Division head Tom Enders.

Ethiopian Airlines boosted its firm order for 787s to 10 by exercising purchase rights for five more of the jets (ATWOnline, Feb. 7). The order, which now has a value of $1.6 billion at list prices, also was finalized. Ethiopian is scheduled to receive its first 787 in 2008. CEO Girma Wake told ATWOnline during the IATA AGM in Tokyo that the carrier is looking for two 777-200s in order to launch a thrice-weekly service from Addis Abba to New York via Accra by October. "If no 777s are available on the market, we will lease two 747-400s.

Bombardier reported net income of $55 million for the fiscal first quarter ended April 30, a complete turnaround compared to a net loss of $174 million in the prior-year period. Consolidated revenues were up 8.6% to $3.8 billion while earnings before taxes and special items reached $48 million, a significant improvement over a loss of $136 million in the year-ago period. The company's cash position remained strong at $2.1 billion.

Singapore Airlines and Qantas have expressed disappointment and annoyance at the six-month delay in A380 deliveries revealed just after the close of the IATA AGM in Tokyo. Airbus Chief Commercial Officer John Leahy held meetings with these carriers and Emirates at the AGM, and while airline CEOs are putting on a diplomatic front, privately they expressed serious concerns and annoyance.

Quiet Wing Corp. said it received an FAA STC for its 737-200 performance enhancing flap modification that permits increased payload, improved takeoff and landing performance, reduced fuel consumption and lower stall speeds.

Jet Airways of India is in final talks concerning an order for up to 15 long-haul aircraft to replace and supplement three A340s leased from South African Airways and four new A330s that will be leased from ILFC beginning next April. Jet is evaluating aircraft such as the A340-600 and 777-300ER and availability of delivery positions in 2007 is a key criterion, CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer told ATWOnline in Tokyo at the IATA AGM. "Our priority is to expand our long-haul operation," he said.