South African Airways subleased three A340-300s to Jet Airways for the Indian carrier's new service to London. The two-year agreement includes a strategic alliance with SAA using Jet services within India, and has the potential for a reciprocal frequent-flier accord and an extensive codeshare.

WestJet took delivery of its first 737-800 last week. The airline will acquire five 737-800s, seven 737-700s and three 737-600s during 2005. It has exercised options for an additional three 737-600s for delivery in 2006.

Air Charter Service added a European-registered An-74 freighter to its managed fleet. It will operate out of East Midlands Airport.

FL Group, formerly Flugleidir Icelandair, has converted purchase rights from a January order into a new firm order for five 737-800s (ATWOnline, Jan. 27), Boeing announced yesterday. The five aircraft, valued at $325 million at list prices, will be delivered in 2007. The company will take delivery of the 10 737-800s from the original order next year. It plans to lease all of the aircraft to other carriers.

Assembly of the first A380 freighter began yesterday with the first "metal cut" of the center wing box--which actually is constructed principally from composite materials--at Airbus's site in Nantes, France.

Air One Feeder Airline, a startup based in Bangalore, will be the first carrier in India to operate the 50-seat ERJ-145. It will lease two from Swiss International Air Lines and they will enter service in the second half of 2005.

The 777-300ER is too heavy for the runways at Paris Orly, La Tribune reported, adding that this could pose problems for Air France, which intends to operate the aircraft from the airport beginning next summer on its popular leisure routes to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean as it retires its 747-200 fleet.

Korean Air placed an order with Boeing for up to 20 787s as part of what it says is "a strategic plan to meet future demand for point-to-point travel on mid/long-range destinations to the US and Europe." The deal includes 10 firm 787-8 s and 10 options and is valued at $2.6 billion at list prices. Deliveries are scheduled from 2009 through 2011. Engine selection was not announced.