Aircraft News - Asia / Pacific.

For more aircraft news, data, fleets and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jun 26, 2006

Airbus, GE, Philippine Airlines 

Philippine Airlines selected the CFM56-5B to power nine A320s it ordered; it holds five options as well. CFM International said the engine order is worth $110 million. Deliveries will begin later this year and continue through 2012 if all options are exercised. Jun 21, 2006

Airbus, Malaysia Airlines

MAS prepares to cancel A380 order. Malaysia Airlines is expected to cancel its A380 commitment, according to an airline source.MAS is close to canceling its order for six aircraft. This website understands from another source in Toulouse that at least one other airline is examining options to cancel its order. Before the delay announced last week by Airbus. MAS had been scheduled to take delivery of its first A380 in July 2007 and its sixth in May 2009. Jun 20, 2006

ATR, TransAsia Airways 

TransAsia Airways signed a contract for the purchase of two new ATR 72-500s plus one option. The deal, including the option, is valued at $53.7 million. The aircraft will be delivered in 2007 in a 72-seat configuration and will bring TransAsia's ATR fleet to 12. Jun 22, 2006

Boeing, All Nippon - ANA

ANA last week took delivery of a 777-300ER, a 777-200ER and a 737-700 at a ceremony in Everett. Jun 19, 2006

Boeing, Asiana, Messier Services

Messier Services will perform 747-400 landing gear exchange and overhaul on behalf of Asiana Airlines. Agreement covers five shipsets. Jun 20, 2006

Boeing, Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific orders six 747-400ERFs. With its share/management restructure with Dragonair bedded down, Cathay Pacific Airways moved quickly to expand its freighter fleet with an order for six 747-400ERFs that takes up all the remaining slots for the standard 747.The PW4062A-powered aircraft are scheduled to arrive between May 2008 and April 2009. They will be deployed on routes to North America. The airline operates 14 747 freighters comprising one dash 400BCF, six dash 400Fs and seven dash 200Fs. It has an outstanding order for five dash 400BCFs and options on another six. Dragonair's freighter fleet consists of four 747-200s/300s, one wet-leased A300B4 and one wet-leased 747-400F. Cathay has been considered a significant driver of the 747-8 program but has yet to commit. However, recent studies done by Boeing to stretch the 747-8 Intercontinental to hold up to 500 passengers are thought to be aimed at CX (see story below). Jun 23, 2006

Boeing, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries last week unveiled for the first time to media their high-tech fabrication and assembly plants for the 787. MHI is responsible for the wing box while KHI is building the forward fuselage (section 43), fixed trailing edge and components of the wheel well. MHI Director-Program Manager-787 Program Office Takashi Fujimoto showed off the world's largest autoclave, measuring 40 m. by 7 m. in diameter. MHI also displayed the 40-ton mandrel that holds the 787's lower-right skin panel. Fujimoto told media that the 21 tests to be done on the 787 wing are well underway and will be completed by year end. Akira Taniguchi, 787 deputy program manager-manufacturing, said all facets of KHI's 787 production program are on schedule, with the fabrication and final assembly facilities due to start full-scale production on July 10. Jun 19, 2006