Aircraft News - North America.

Lawsuit focuses on questionable aircraft parts. A whistle-blower lawsuit exposes flaws in the way regulators have investigated questionable parts at Boeing's aircraft manufacturing plant, the Washington Post reports. Boeing says there are no safety issues and believes the suit is without merit. Apr 17, 2006

Aeronautical Engineers

Aeronautical Engineers Inc. of Florida said it received EASA approval for 737-300 conversions. Its STC already is approved by US FAA. Apr 18, 2006

Airbus, Boeing

Order demonstrates Boeing's strength in China. A large order booked this week indicates Boeing continues to compete successfully in China. Rival jetmaker Airbus has boosted its market share in China since the mid-1990s. Apr 12, 2006

Airbus, Boeing

Boeing leads in orders but trails Airbus in deliveries. Boeing holds a healthy lead over Airbus in terms of new orders for March and the first quarter of 2006, while Airbus delivered more aircraft in the quarter. Airbus booked orders for 19 aircraft in March comprising three A320 family aircraft, four A330s, three 340-300s and nine A350-900s. Finnair was responsible for the majority of the sales, including the A350s and A340s. In March 2005, Airbus booked orders for 80 aircraft of which all but two were narrowbodies. Apr 11, 2006

Boeing

Boeing to deliver last 717 in May. Boeing will deliver the last of its 717 jetliners to AirTran Airways next month. Boeing said slow sales caused it to cancel production. Apr 21, 2006

Chinese president to visit Boeing this week. Chinese President Hu Jintao will meet with the leaders of Boeing this week in the U.S. Boeing has said strict regulation of Chinese airlines limits its potential there. However, it recently won a large Chinese order for jetliners. China will need thousands of planes, Hu says. China will need thousands of planes in the coming years, Chinese President Hu Jintao told aircraft workers Wednesday. Hu visited Boeing's plant in Everett, Wash. "In the next 15 years, the demand for new aircraft will reach 2,000 planes," Hu said. "This clearly points to a bright tomorrow for future cooperation between Boeing and China." Apr 20, 2006

Two carriers consider passenger 747-8. Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines are considering purchasing the passenger version of Boeing's planned 747-8. Boeing has not yet secured a customer for the passenger model of the plane. Apr 14, 2006

Boeing hopes to increase China orders. Boeing hopes to book 20 more orders for jetliners from China this year. The additional sales would help Boeing maintain its lead over European rival Airbus. "Asia, especially China, is the most vital market for Boeing and Airbus as there is only limited demand growth on other continents," said Ella Li, an analyst with Shenyin & Wanguo Securities Co. in Shanghai. Apr 13, 2006

Boeing's 787 reflects globalization. Boeing says its new 787 jetliner is an American product and a global product at the same time. Companies in Japan, France, the U.K. and the U.S. will build parts for the plane, which will join commercial fleets in 2008. Lockheed Martin and other defense and aerospace firms are also looking for overseas partners for projects. Apr 12, 2006

Boeing is expected to sign contracts shortly with Chinese airlines for 80 737s. The deal is the second part of an order announced late last year for 70 737s. Hainan Airlines will take 15, China Southern Airlines 10, Xiaman Airlines five and Shandong Airlines six, with the balance taken by Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. Airbus secured a similar commitment for 150 A320s last year but apparently signed a contract with CAAC, listing the orders as part of the year's record-breaking sales. Apr 11, 2006

Boeing sold 112 jets last month: 55 737s, three 767s and 54 787s. Twenty-six orders were booked on the last day of the month. In March 2005, Boeing sold 11 aircraft, all 737s. In the first quarter of 2006, Boeing sold 176 aircraft comprising 116 737s, two 747s, four 767s and 54 787s. Airbus sold 90 aircraft--70 A320 family aircraft, four A330s, three A340s and 13 A350s. In the year-ago period, it booked orders for 123 aircraft. Apr 11, 2006

Boeing agrees to fine in export dispute. Boeing has agreed to pay a $15 million fine related to the sale of commercial airplanes equipped with a chip that has military applications. Boeing also agreed to oversight requirements and has taken steps to prevent further violations of the Arms Control Export Act, which regulates the sale of defense products to other countries. "There is a greater awareness of what the regulations are," a Boeing spokesman said. Apr 10, 2006

Boeing, Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines exercised options for one 737-800 and three Embraer 190s, a transaction worth $180 million at list prices. The dash 800 brings Copa's 737NG order to eight firm with purchase rights for an additional nine. It will take delivery of the 155-seat 737 in October 2009. The three 190s bring to 15 the number of Copa's firm orders and it holds 15 options. The three 94-seat, GE CF32-10E-powered aircraft are Advanced Range versions and are scheduled for delivery in 2007 and 2008. Apr 21, 2006

Boeing, Crane Aerospace

Crane Aerospace & Electronics was selected to supply the onboard tire and brake monitoring system for the 777. First deliveries of aircraft with the new system are scheduled for next year. Apr 18, 2006

Boeing, Evergreen Air

Evergreen Air Center expands and successfully completes Boeing 767-300 and Boeing 747-200 heavy maintenance for their global clients. These recent C-checks were completed on passenger configurations, involved transfer of ownership, and returned to service on schedule. Apr 21, 2006

Boeing, Santos Dumont

Santos Dumont Aircraft Management of Dublin purchased 10 Aviation Partners Boeing 737-300 Blended Winglet shipsets. SD currently is remarketing five dash 300s on behalf of Oak Hill Capital and will install the winglets between November 2006 and May 2007. Apr 18, 2006

Boeing, Southwest Airlines

Boeing has confirmed that Southwest Airlines is to take 79 Next Generation 737-700s on which it has options. Southwest, the first and one of the world's most successful low-cost carriers, operates an all-Boeing fleet of 452 737s. Although it is presumed that some older aircraft will be retired the new commitment will take the airline well past the 500 aircraft mark, a truly amazing figure if you compare it with the total production run of some products of the past. In February, Southwest took delivery of the 5,000th Boeing 737 (see picture). Later this summer, Southwest is slated to receive Boeing's 2,000th Next-Generation 737. Boeing has sold more than 6,200 737s to carriers worldwide. http://www.boeing.com http://www.southwest.com Apr 23, 2006

Southwest orders 36 aircraft next year, 30 the following year, 18 in 2009 and 10 in each year from 2010 through 2012. It holds 116 options with delivery positions in 2008-12 and 54 purchase rights for delivery through 2014. CFMI valued the new firm engine orders at $1 billion at list prices. Apr 21, 2006

Boeing, Star Alliance

Star Alliance members seek customized 787. Members of the Star Alliance are customizing specifications for Boeing's 787 jetliner. Specifications range from seat pitch to cockpit configuration. Apr 13, 2006

Boeing, Ukraine International

Ukraine International Airlines took delivery of two 737-500s on lease from Boeing Capital Corp. UIA now operates 12 737s. It expects 2006 traffic to be up 26% compared to 2005 and is considering whether to add another 737 before year end. Apr 17, 2006

Boeing, United Airlines

United "interested" in Boeing 787. United Airlines is interested in how Boeing's 787 could work in its fleet, CEO Glenn Tilton said. Tilton said United's reorganization plan does not include purchasing new planes for five years. "When we start beating the financial plan, then we can start having serious discussions [about buying new jets]," Tilton said. Apr 19, 2006

Bombardier Aerospace

Bombardier Aerospace appointed Taikoo Aircraft Engineering of Jinan as its first authorized heavy maintenance facility in the Asia/Pacific region. Taikoo is authorized to perform C checks and other heavy MRO on all CRJs. Apr 10, 2006

Bombardier Regional

Bombardier Regional Aircraft President Steven Ridolfi announced a new management lineup that he said is designed to "better serve the needs or our expanding customer base." James Dailly was appointed senior VP-sales. Reporting to Dailly will be Ric Allison, VP-Americas sales; Steve Crowley, VP-Asia/Pacific sales, and Kevin Smith, VP-international sales. Rod Williams was appointed VP-commercial operations. Reporting to Williams are Anne Woodyat, VP-contracts; Trung Ngo, VP-marketing and communications; Rod Sheridan, VP-asset management, and Barry MacKinnon-VP markets and airline analysis. Apr 18, 2006

China Eastern Airlines, Singapore Technologies

Singapore Technologies Aerospace and China Eastern Airlines said their airframe MRO joint venture, Shanghai Technologies Aerospace Co., received FAA certification. The announcement was made as the partners celebrated STARCO's first year of operation. The facility, which is operated and managed as part of ST Aero's MRO network, is located at Shanghai Hongqiao. It has two hangars that can accommodate two widebody and two narrowbody aircraft simultaneously. Apr 10, 2006

Continental Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines

Continental selects Chautauqua Airlines to fly regional jets. Continental Airlines said it has picked Republic Airways subsidiary Chautauqua Airlines to operate up to 69 regional jets. The planes will come from Continental's capacity purchase agreement with ExpressJet Holdings. Continental Airlines is withdrawing ERJ-145s from its capacity purchase agreement with ExpressJet. Apr 19, 2006

Delta Air Lines, World Airways

World Airways signed leases for two MD-11s it had been subleasing from Delta Air Lines until the leases were rejected by DL in bankruptcy court in September. A third lease will be signed later this month. World had been operating the aircraft on an interim agreement. Leases with the new owner are on staggered terms through March 2008. Apr 13, 2006

Monarch Airlines

Monarch Airlines placed a complete fleet order with CTT Systems for 27 Zonal Drying Systems to be installed on its A300s, A320s, A321s, A330s, 757s and 767s. Apr 18, 2006