Embraer last week announced that it has created the new management position of executive VP-new programs-airline market and appointed Executive VP-Airline Market Mauro Kern to the post, leading to speculation that the manufacturer is eyeing a new commercial aircraft program.

Airphil Express is the new name of the former Air Philippines, effective last week. A low-cost subsidiary of Philippine Airlines parent PAL Holdings, Airphil added two single-class, 177-seat A320-200s on lease--its first jets--and placed them into service from Manila to Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa and Cagayan de Oro. The acquisition is the beginning of an expansion that will see the carrier acquire 20 A320s over the next 20 years, adding to its current fleet that also includes eight Q-300s/400s.

Frontier Airlines took delivery of a 162-seat A320, the first of three scheduled to arrive this spring. Aircraft features an orca on the tail. Its Airbus fleet currently comprises nine A318s, 38 A319s and five A320s. Helvetic Airways will add its fifth and sixth F100 in May and June respectively. It also will add 30 fulltime employees, increasing the ranks to 150. It said revenue in its fiscal year ended March 31 was "around" CHF5 million ($4.7 million).

Boeing will conduct stability, control and flutter tests on its 747-8F next week before launching NAMS testing designed to establish fuel burn figures at high altitude. VP and GM-747 Program Mohammad Yahyavi told ATWOnline in Seattle that current testing is proceeding well while acknowledging that a slight redesign of the landing gear door will be required to address buffet when the gear is lowered and the flaps are fully deployed for landing. The 777 had a similar buffet problem with its nose gear in 1994.

Virgin Blue Group finalized a contract with Boeing for up to 105 737NGs, confirming and adding to a February MOU in a deal that is the biggest in the Australian company's 10-year history and the largest Boeing has landed in 18 months. The agreement includes 50 firm 737-800s with options to convert orders to either the -700 or -900, plus 25 options and 30 purchase rights. Deliveries are scheduled to run from June 2011 through 2017 (ATWOnline, Feb. 25).