Embraer announced a firm order for two 76-seat Embraer 170s and one 104-seat 190 from state-run Ecuadorian airline TAME, with deliveries scheduled for 2005 and 2006. Meanwhile, the manufacturer reported that it delivered 30 total aircraft in the first quarter, including 18 ERJ-145s and 10 Embraer 170s. It expects to deliver 145 aircraft in 2005, but approximately 60% will be concentrated in the second half, when first deliveries of the new 175 and 190 are scheduled to begin.

EasyJet took delivery of its 100th aircraft. The new A319 will be based at Berlin Schoenefeld and is the 39th A319 to be delivered from the LCC's order of 120 aircraft that will be completed by 2007. An additional 20 A319s will be delivered this year to facilitate easyJet's continued expansion and a planned increase in passenger numbers by a further 15%-20% this financial year. It has an option for an additional 120 aircraft from 2007 onward.

Iberia took delivery of two new A320s, bringing the total in its fleet to 61.

Pegasus Aviation Finance Co. delivered the first 737-800 it has leased to WestJet. Pegasus will finance a total of five 737NGs for the airline through June.

Verona-based Air Dolomiti, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa and a member of Lufthansa Regional, will take delivery of five ex-Aer Lingus 100-seat BAE 146-300s this month and also is looking at other aircraft.

Air France-KLM Group currently has no plans to renew its regional fleet, it said in a statement in response to a report in Les Echos, which claimed it was considering an order for 80 new regional jets from either Embraer or Bombardier. According to the newspaper, it would be a combined order for several of the group's carriers including Regional, Brit Air and Cityjet.

In response to speculation that British Airways will be a launch customer for the 747ADV, CEO Rod Eddington told ATWOnline yesterday that "the most pressing aircraft acquisition project for BA is the 767 replacement." According to Eddington, BA currently is looking at both the A350 and 787. It was one of the airlines heavily involved in the evolution of the 7E7/787 from the Sonic Cruiser program, with Eddington arguing that efficiency was far better than speed.

Frontier Airlines announced yesterday that it has completed its four-year transition to an all-Airbus fleet. It estimated cost savings, primarily from efficiencies in maintenance and training activities, at approximately $11 million on an annual basis. It began the transition from a fleet of 737-300s and dash 200s when it signed a letter of intent in October 1999 to purchase 11 new Airbus aircraft with options for an additional nine. Shortly thereafter, it signed an LOI for an additional 15 leased A319s and in August 2003 it placed an order for 29 A319s and A318s.