Orient Thai Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary One-Two-Go Airlines are to undergo a $2.5 billion fleet revamp, according to a statement by founder and CEO Udom Tantiprasongchai cited in press reports from Bangkok. The airline group intends to buy eight 787-9s and 12 737-900ERs. It now operates a fleet of 18 aircraft comprising 747-200s and MD-80s. OTA has been cited by Korean and Japanese authorities on safety issues and one of its MD-80s crashed in Phuket in September, killing 89 (ATWOnline, Sept. 18).

Tiger Airways converted 20 A320 options, completing the firming of its 50-aircraft order (30 firm and 20 options) announced at the Paris Air Show (ATWOnline, June 22). Aircraft will seat 180 passengers in an all-economy configuration. Tiger currently flies 12 A320s and will take eight more through 2009. The final aircraft now will be delivered in 2016.

Thales said yesterday that it has received Category IIIb approval from EASA to utilize its MLS precision approach and landing system. Airbus said last month that EASA certification had been granted for Thales' MLS system on A320 family aircraft and that British Airways would be the first to implement it at London Heathrow in 2008 (ATWOnline, Nov. 14). Thales' announcement yesterday appeared to signal across-the-board certification for all aircraft types, but did note that BA would be the first to use it.

International Aero Engines said the SelectOne build standard of the V2500 received FAR 33 certification from US FAA. IAE said SelectOne will reduce fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions 1%, improve time-on-wing 20% and reduce "miscellaneous" shop visits by 40%. Indian LCC IndiGo will launch the engine in the second half of next year.

China Eastern Airlines applied to the Chinese government to be allocated 40 of the 110 A320 family aircraft Beijing recently agreed to purchase from Airbus and is contemplating ordering a similar number of 737s. It also plans to give Singapore Airlines executives significant management roles following next month's expected closing of SIA's and parent Temasek's 24% stake purchase, according to Chairman Li Fenghua.