Qatar Airways took delivery of its second 777-300ER.

Transaero took delivery of its first 747-400 last week, bringing its fleet to 29 aircraft. First flight is scheduled this week. Aircraft is powered by RB211-524H2-19s and seats 352 passengers (11 in first class, 56 in business and 285 in economy). Transaero will use the aircraft primarily on flights from Moscow Domodedovo to Singapore and Dominican Republic. It already operates eight 747-200s and -300s.

The first regional jet manufactured by a Chinese company, the ARJ21-700, rolled out in Shanghai Friday and won its biggest order, 100 aircraft from Kunpeng Airlines. Xi'an-based Kunpeng, a regional joint venture launched by Shenzhen Airlines and Mesa Air Group two months ago (ATWOnline, Oct. 30), confirmed its intention to adopt the ARJ21 as its main fleet type. Based on its agreement with AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Co., its first ARJ21 will be delivered in 2010.

Republic Airways Holdings converted 11 E-175 options, Embraer announced. Aircraft will begin delivery in July 2008 and will be operated by Shuttle America on Delta Connection flights. They are worth $341 million at list prices, Embraer said. Republic is the world's largest E-Jet operator with 76 170s and 25 175s. Its E-Jet order book totals 29 firm and 74 options. Shuttle America will configure its 175s with 12 first class and 64 economy seats. It currently flies 44 170s, including 16 for DL.

Italian Transport Minister Alessandro Bianchi told Il Sole 24 Ore that the government is completely satisfied with the nonbinding bids for Alitalia offered by Air France KLM and Air One parent AP Holding (ATWOnline, Dec. 20) and will look to take time over the next two weeks to "eliminate weak points, suggest corrections that further the public interest" and "work within the offers to improve them," Reuters reported.