Aircraft News - North America.

Oct 9, 2006

Boeing

Boeing's third-quarter deliveries increase 61%. Boeing said it delivered 100 commercial aircraft in the third quarter, a significant increase over the 62 delivered in the third quarter of 2005 when production was compromised by a 27-day assembly workers' strike. Deliveries comprised 81 737NGs, three 747s, three 767s and 13 777s. Year-to-date deliveries total 295 compared to 217 in the year-ago period. The vast majority (223) were 737NGs, followed by five 717s (including three under operating lease), 11 747s, nine 767s and 47 777s. Oct 6, 2006

Boeing

Boeing yesterday named Larry Dickenson to lead its Commercial Airplanes sales team as VP-sales reporting to Scott Carson, whom he is replacing after Carson was named to succeed Alan Mulally as president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes early last month. Dickenson, 63, has headed the manufacturer's Asia/Pacific sales team for 20 years. He is credited with playing an integral role in the launch of the 787 and 777 programs. Prior to joining Boeing, he was VP-aircraft programs at Texas Air Corp., then the parent company of Continental and Eastern Airlines, with responsibility for aircraft acquisition, sales and aircraft financing. Previously he was VP-commercial sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa at McDonnell Douglas. Oct 3, 2006

Bombardier

According to Avitas VP-Asset Valuation Doug Kelly. lease rates for used Bombardier CRJ200s are in the $85,000-$90,000-per-month range. But older CRJ100s have "a much different value." Some of those that have not been placed have been "parted out" for approximately $3 million. In addition, Oct 4, 2006

Bombardier

Bombardier is retrofitting some of the CRJs for business or shuttle applications. It also is developing a cargo modification expected to be certified in the first quarter of 2007. Oct 4, 2006

Bombardier

Manufacturers see new life for older smaller RJs Bombardier reached a low point in asset management last January when it realized it had 107 parked 50-seat CRJs, VP-Asset Management Rod Sheridan said at the 13th annual Valuation Conference organized by Commercial Aviation Media in Washington this week. "Not too many people, especially in the US, want to take on 50-seaters," he said. The aircraft that had been returned by Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and Air Littoral represented nearly 10% of the 50-seat CRJ fleet. But the market is looking brighter nine months later, with all but 25 of the parked aircraft placed with new operators. Sheridan said the two hottest remarketing opportunities are with startups and carriers in developing countries outside of North America and Europe. Oct 4, 2006

Bombardier, Northwest Airlines

Bombardier said the value of its Northwest Airlines order based on list price would be USD$1.35 billion for 36 planes, and the value could rise to USD$5.18 billion if all options are exercised. Bombardier shares rose almost 8 percent on Thursday as at least one analyst upgraded his rating on the stock on the prospect that the company will land some big orders on its regional jets. Bombardier has been in a tough battle with Embraer to win regional jet contracts during an industry slump. Oct 5, 2006

GATX Capital, Och-Ziff Capital

GATX Corp. last week announced it will sell the majority of its aircraft leasing business to a consortium of investors including Macquarie Bank and investment fund Och-Ziff Capital Management Group in a transaction expected to close by year end. GATX has been in the aircraft leasing business since 1968. The value of its aircraft assets, including its joint-venture investments, is approximately $1.5 billion in net book value and includes 87 aircraft. Last year, GATX announced it would sell up to $450 million worth of older aircraft, or around 23% of its leasing portfolio, as part of a strategy to focus on "newer more profitable aircraft". Oct 2, 2006

GATX, Och-Ziff Capital Management Group

GATX Corp. last week announced it will sell the majority of its aircraft leasing business to a consortium of investors including Macquarie Bank and investment fund Och-Ziff Capital Management Group in a transaction expected to close by year end. GATX has been in the aircraft leasing business since 1968. The value of its aircraft assets, including its joint-venture investments, is approximately $1.5 billion in net book value and includes 87 aircraft. Last year, GATX announced it would sell up to $450 million worth of older aircraft, or around 23% of its leasing portfolio, as part of a strategy to focus on "newer more profitable aircraft". Oct 2, 2006

Northwest Airlines, Bombardier

Northwest Airlines said it continues in talks with unnamed aircraft makers for 100 seat planes to replace its DC-9 fleet, and it will take back 15 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft it previously rejected. Oct 5, 2006

Northwest Airlines, Bombardier, Embraer

Northwest Airlines said the new Bombardier and Embraer planes it purchased will lower its operating costs over aircraft they will replace such as the Avro Regional Jet 85 through lower fuel consumption and maintenance costs. Compass Airlines, Northwest's regional subsidiary, will operate the new Embraer aircraft as Northwest Airlink, and an Airlink partner yet to be determined will operate the Bombardier planes. Oct 5, 2006

Skyway Airlines, Midwest Airlines

Skyway Airlines, the Midwest Airlines subsidiary, plans to upgrade to 328JETs from turboprops on three Midwest Connect routes out of Milwaukee in November. From Nov. 1, midday Milwaukee-Columbus service will be reinstated with a 382JET, making all flights on the route jet except for a Saturday morning flight that will be upgraded to the 32-seat RJ on Nov. 18. From Nov. 16 the carrier will upgrade to 328JETs on service from Milwaukee to both Dayton and Appleton. Oct 3, 2006

Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: [e-mail]

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Oct 2, 2006