Company Watch - Boeing.

For more company news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jul 3, 2006

Bellview Airlines of Nigeria will launch a total fleet renewal by adding the first of six new A320s to its fleet by the fourth quarter, phasing out its 737 Classics. The fleet change should be complete by September 2007. Bellview also is undergoing IATA's Operational Safety Audit program. There are no changes planned to its long-haul fleet of two 767-200ERs. Jun 28, 2006

Boeing has confirmed that it will be taking a series of near-term actions as the company accelerates the evaluation of options for the future of its Connexion by Boeing high-speed broadband communications business. Connexion is not part of its core business and a disposal to a more specialized concern has not been ruled out. There is clearly a demand for in-flight on-line Internet and its spin offs but the question is "how do you pay for it?" Advertising revenue, the means whereby normal ground based IT systems sustain themselves, does work in the airborne mode. It needs lots of views which will never happen with the average aircraft size around 150 people. Boeing says it is carrying out an evaluation with its clients and partners which may result in a sale, partnering arrangement or termination of service. http://www.boeing.com Jun 30, 2006

Boeing announced it will record $915 million-$1.1 billion in charges in the second quarter related to delays in its Airborne Early Warning & Control surveillance program for Australia and Turkey and a previously announced settlement with the US Justice Dept. from criminal cases involving its hiring of a former Air Force weapons purchaser and its acquisition of proprietary information belonging to Lockheed Martin. Reuters reported that the charges likely will wipe out the company's second-quarter profit, which analysts forecast at $967 million before interest and taxes. Jun 30, 2006

Boeing has sold 132 747-400s and 747-8s since the beginning of 2000--the timeframe in which the A380 has been offered in the marketplace--including last week's Cathay Pacific order for six 747-400ERFs. While the A380 had its industrial launch in 2001, Airbus was gathering MOUs and LOIs through 2000 from Emirates, ILFC and Air France before Singapore Airlines and Qantas committed to the aircraft in late 2000. The order rate for the 747 has picked up in the past 17 months, with 63 orders booked for 10 customers against 20 for the A380. Airbus customers include UPS (10), Kingfisher Airlines (5) and China Southern Airlines (5). While most of the 747 orders have been for the freighter models, a surprising 30 have been passenger versions, including three VIP transports. Boeing has logged 1,439 orders for the 747 family not including the 747-400BCF program. Jun 26, 2006

Boeing sold another 25 737s to an unidentified customer. So far this year, 18 customers have ordered 338 737s with the buyers of 89 unidentified. Jun 26, 2006

Copa Airlines this month will take delivery of a 737-700 and two 94-seat, GE CF34-10E-powered Embraer 190ARs, bringing its fleet to 27 aircraft. The 737 will be operated on Copa's Montevideo route while the RJs will be used on flights to Santiago de los Caballeros, Manaus, Maracaibo, San Pedro Sula and Port of Spain. Jun 27, 2006

Gol placed its 49th and 50th 737s into service yesterday and revised its fleet plan for 2006-08, adding two 737-700s this year, one next year and another in 2008. The additions follow a more extensive fleet plan revision announced last month. Jun 28, 2006

Teledyne Controls announced that Jade Cargo International, a joint venture among Shenzhen Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo and DEG, ordered its integrated Data Management Unit for aircraft condition monitoring and data recording on its new 747-400ERF fleet. Jun 28, 2006

SkyEurope Airlines yesterday announced the conversion of five 737-700 purchase rights into firm orders, bringing its commitment to the 737 to 21. The five aircraft, which the airline said have an estimated value of $295 million, will be equipped with winglets and are scheduled for delivery in 2008. SkyEurope currently operates five dash 700s and still holds 11 purchase rights for aircraft to be delivered through 2010. Jun 29, 2006

TAM Will Acquire 37 Additional Airbus Aircraft. Company Substitutes F100 Fleet and Signs a MOU With Airbus Following Increase in Domestic and International Demand. Brazil's largest airline company, has just signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to acquire 37 additional Airbus aircraft. The order includes 15 Airbus A319, 16 A320 and 6 A330 to be delivered until 2010. The new MOU comes in addition to last year's signed contract of 29 A320 to be delivered during the same period and the option of another 20 aircraft of the same models. TAM expects to be operating 41 A320s, 13 A319s, 22 F100s and 10 A330s by year end. It will phase out the F100s by 2010, at which time it will fly 111 A319s/A320s and 16 A330s. Jun 28, 2006

Thales will supply a Level D full flight simulator to Turkish Airlines. It will be ready for training in December and will be installed at THY's training center at Istanbul Ataturk. Thales also will upgrade a 737-400 FFS. Jun 27, 2006