Air France President and CEO Jean Cyril-Spinetta yesterday said he has not received any information from Airbus about a possible delay in delivery of the airline's first A380, which is slated to arrive in April 2007. "I'm waiting about a decision from Airbus to know precisely what the situation is. It is not up us," he said. Singapore Airlines already has confirmed reports that its first A380 will not arrive in May 2006 as originally expected (ATWOnline, May 5).

Air-India struck back at flawed media leaks related to its recent order for up to 50 777s and 787s (ATWOnline, April 27). The airline told this website in a statement that it understands copies of selected and incomplete internal reports on fleet acquisition plans are being circulated in the media and other quarters by vested interests intent on derailing the Boeing order. "This is being done to malign Air-India's management and board, mislead the public and derail Air-India's plans to acquire aircraft," the carrier said.

SkyQuest International as the agent on behalf of GMAC Commercial Finance arranged the sale of an EMB-120FC to US-based Everts Air Cargo.

Boeing selected B/E Aerospace to provide its next-generation passenger oxygen system for the 787. According to B/E, the 787 will be the first aircraft equipped with a system using its advanced Pulse Oxygen technology, which delivers oxygen more efficiently than traditional passenger systems and reduces overall system weight and fuel burn. The first Pulse Oxygen system deliveries are scheduled for late 2007. Meanwhile, Boeing delivered the fourth electronic flight bag-equipped 777-300ER to Emirates yesterday.

Rockwell Collins said its Tailwind 550 satellite television system received an STC for installation on 767-200s/-300s/-400s. The installation, which was performed by Jet Airways, allows the aircraft to receive direct broadcast satellite TV channels in the US, Europe and the Middle East. Separately, Rockwell Collins announced that its Multi-mode Receiver with GPS landing system functionality was delivered last week on a 737-800.

Iberia took delivery of a new A321, bringing its fleet of the type to 12. The airline said the 194-seat aircraft will be used on routes within Spain and Europe.

Airbus Chief Commercial Officer John Leahy is confident he will be able to announce "triple digit" orders for the A350 at the Paris Air Show next month. "We are in final talks with several companies. We'll have more than 100 firm orders in the order book for the A350. I don't want to say 200, because I don't want to be like somebody else and not be able to commit to it," he said in a reference to claims made by Boeing ahead of the 2004 Farnborough Air Show that it would have 200 787 commitments by year end, a target it missed by a few months.

Sichuan Airlines ordered six A320s and two A319s for delivery from late 2005 to 2008. The Chengdu-based carrier first ordered A320s in 1995 and has a fleet of eight A320s, four A321s and two A319s.