Kitty Hawk Aircargo took delivery of a CFM56-powered 737-300 Special Freighter leased from GECAS. The aircraft was converted from passenger configuration by IAI's Bedek Aviation Div. under an agreement with GECAS. Kitty Hawk has a contract to lease seven 737-300SFs from GECAS that will be delivered throughout 2005.

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft reached agreements with two Lufthansa Regionals, Eurowings and Air Dolomiti, under which 11 BAe 146-300s will be added to the carriers' fleets. In addition, BAE inked sale and leaseback extensions on three aircraft with Lufthansa CityLine, another Lufthansa Regional. Eurowings signed a deal to lease a further six BAe 146-300s that will be added to its current fleet of eight BAe 146s. The six aircraft, which the airline will use to replace some of its 48-seat ATR 42-500 turboprops, will be delivered from mid-April to the beginning of September.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics was selected by Honeywell to supply power control modules and batteries for the 787 flight control electronics Honeywell is developing for the new aircraft.

Thai Airways International has taken delivery of the first of four A340-500s, which feature a striking new livery. The delivery also marks the start of a major widebody fleet expansion that includes six A340-600s, six 777-200ERs and six A380-800s entering service up to 2009. The A340-500s will operate new nonstops between Bangkok and Los Angeles and New York, while the A340-600s will fly to Europe. Airline President Kanok Abhiradee said the A340-500 "will open up new markets for Thai.

Boeing delivered a total of 70 commercial aircraft in the first quarter ended March 31, consisting of three 717s, 54 737NGs, three 747s, one 757, one 767 and eight 777s. In the first quarter of last year, the company delivered 76 commercial aircraft comprising three 717s, 55 737NGs, five 747s, four 757s, one 767 and eight 777s.

Kingfisher Airlines selected the V2500 to power its fleet of A320s. At present, the startup has 13 firm aircraft on order with options to purchase a further 20. It also has leased four A320s from debis AirFinance. If all options are realized, value of the deal to IAE is $460 million.

Skyways has placed five of its Saab 340As with local operators in Sweden.

Boeing selected UK-based Ipeco Group to provide flightdeck seats for the 787. Ipeco has supplied flightdeck seats for all Boeing commercial aircraft since 1985.