Midwest Airlines is grounding its 12 MD-80s "sometime near fall" as part of a restructuring effort, a spokesperson confirmed yesterday to ATWOnline.

Bombardier yesterday announced the sale of four CRJ700 NextGens plus four options to an unidentified carrier and an order for three Q400s from ANA. The firm CRJ order is worth $146 million at list prices. The ANA deal represents the conversion of three previously held options and is valued at $80 million. Delivery will begin in 2010. The carrier said it will sell one of its current 14 Q400s and replace its F50s.

Northwest Airlines President and CEO Doug Steenland testified before a US House of Representatives subcommittee yesterday that US airlines are expected to spend $61.2 billion on jet fuel in 2008, $20 billion more than in 2007, and are projected to incur losses totaling close to $10 billion for the year. "If the current pricing dynamic does not change, our industry will be severely challenged and will continue shrinking," he said. "It is as simple and stark as that. .

Focus Aviation reached agreement with KLM to provide marketing services for the sale of 15 F100s. Manufactured in 1989, aircraft are operated by KLM Cityhopper.

Boeing achieved full power-on for its first 787 two weeks ahead of schedule, a significant milestone as the company seeks to restore a reputation tarnished by a trio of delays to the aircraft's first flight. The power-on process started June 12 and brings electrical power onto the airplane in stages. The complexity of that process is increased by the fact that on the 787 the pneumatic (bleed air) system is replaced totally by electronics (ATWOnline, June 13).