Rockwell Collins was selected by Air Berlin to provide avionics for its fleet of 70 A320s. The agreement includes an option for an additional 40 aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin in September.

TAT Industries, the maintenance arm of TAT Group, is in final negotiations to buy Sabena Technics, ATWOnline has learned. "Discussions are ongoing," Sabena Technics MD Jack Waldeyer confirmed to this website. "The administrator [for bankrupt Sabena Group] is hopeful to conclude the negotiations by the end of April."

Embraer reported net income of $83 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, up 22.2% over net income of $67.9 million in the prior-year period. For the full year, the company posted record net income of $380.2 million compared to net income of $136 million in the previous year. "The driving force behind these positive results was the entry into service of the Embraer 170" in March 2004, Embraer said.

Jetstar Asia, the Qantas low-cost joint venture, has decelerated its fleet growth plans as it continues to struggle to secure traffic rights on key routes out of Singapore. According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Jetstar Asia asked ILFC to find another operator to take its fifth A320, which was due to enter service by May. It also is considering arrangements to lease out some of three additional A320s ordered from ILFC if its plans to expand to new destinations in Indonesia and China are frustrated.

Centralwings, the new Polish low-cost airline formed by LOT that began operations Feb. 1 with flights to London Gatwick from Warsaw and Krakow, will acquire two more 737 Classics by May, bringing its total fleet to five. Two more 737s should join the carrier in 2006.

Bombardier, the company that launched the first regional jet, announced yesterday a $2 billion program to build a new family of mid-size aircraft. The board of directors has given a green light to offer customers the new CSeries line of 110/130-seat aircraft that will provide a 15% operating cost advantage over types currently available.

Boullioun Aviation Services reached a medium-term lease with TAM for two new V2500-powered A320s. The first aircraft was delivered March 4 and the second is scheduled for delivery later this month. With the new aircraft, TAM's fleet will comprise 55 Airbus and 29 Fokker aircraft.

Bombardier reached an agreement with GoJet Airlines, a subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, for an order for 10 CRJ700s valued at $317 million. The deal includes options for an additional 40 CRJ700s, which if exercised would be valued at up to $1.6 billion. GoJet's CRJ700s will be configured with 66 seats in three classes and will be operated as United Express on behalf of United Airlines. Trans States, based in St. Louis, operates a fleet of 48 ERJs and 25 Jetstream 41s as American Connection, US Airways Express and United Express.