Company Watch - Boeing.

Boeing booked orders for 86 new aircraft in the March 1-March 30 period, according to information on its website. These comprised 34 737s, including 30 from GE Commercial Aviation Services, and 52 787s. Qantas firmed 45 787 commitments announced last year, Kenya Airways took six and an unidentified customer took one. In March 2005, Boeing booked orders for 11 jets, all 737s. Apr 6, 2006

Chinese companies expected to buy Boeing planes. Chinese firms may soon sign contracts to buy U.S. goods and services worth $15 billion, including an order for Boeing aircraft. Chinese President Hu Jintao is expected to visit Boeing's Washington plant April 19. Apr 6, 2006

Jetliner deliveries climb 40% in Q1, Boeing says. Boeing said jetliner deliveries jumped 40% in the first quarter, compared with the same period a year ago. Demand from discount and international carriers fueled the increase. Apr 5, 2006

Boeing will not bid in airwave auction. Boeing will not bid in a federal auction of airwaves that will allow wireless broadband connections on planes flying over North America. A spokesman said the company will concentrate on a competing satellite-based technology. Boeing's Connexion unit offers high-speed wireless network to airline passengers Apr 4, 2006

Aeroflot said that it soon will sign a deal with Boeing for the delivery of six MD-11 freighters through 2008. The agreement comes ahead of the result of a $3 billion tendering competition for 22 787s or A350s. The carrier is expected to announce a decision at the end of this month, according to press reports. Deputy DG Igor Desyatnichenko said financial terms of delivering the MD-11Fs will depend upon whether Boeing wins the passenger aircraft contract. Aeroflot currently operates four DC-10Fs. Apr 7, 2006

Air Canada is accelerating introduction of the 777-300ER with a lease of one aircraft from ILFC to be delivered in May 2007. AC will take delivery of eight 777-300ERs next year. The airline announced its order for up to 36 777s and 60 787s in last May, but delays caused by a dispute with pilots cost it some 777 delivery positions. Apr 6, 2006

Air Europa orders 16 additional 737-800s. Air Europa of Spain converted purchase rights for 16 737-800s into firm orders in a deal worth approximately $1 billion at list prices. Deliveries are scheduled between 2010 and 2014. The carrier will use the new aircraft on domestic routes, including to the Balearic and Canary islands, as well as on European and North African routes. Air Europa currently has 30 737NGs in its fleet and 34 on order. Apr 7, 2006

Air Seychelles signed a letter of intent with ILFC to replace its two 767s with 787s for delivery from 2010. Apr 6, 2006

Avion Aircraft Trading ordered four 747-400BCFs for Avion Group's Air Atlanta Icelandic subsidiary. The first is scheduled for delivery in August 2007. They will replace older dash 200Fs operated by the ACMI provider. Last month it signed an eight-month wet-lease agreement with Saudi Arabian Airlines for two 747-300s to be delivered June 1. Apr 7, 2006

Goodrich Corp. was selected by Boeing to supply a Flight Deck Entry Video Surveillance System for the 787, which will be offered as an option to customers. The system includes video cameras that allow crews to see in total darkness, a video server designed to interface with the aircraft's EFB system and EFB client server applications, Goodrich said. Apr 4, 2006

Hapagfly took delivery of three 737-800s Friday. The aircraft, along with an additional dash 800 delivered the previous week, are part of an order for 10 placed by parent TUI Group in late 2004 and will replace A310s. Apr 3, 2006

North American took delivery of a 767-300ER last week, bringing its 767 fleet to four and its total fleet to nine. The new aircraft will be used on its African service. Apr 4, 2006