Embraer yesterday signed a contract with BRA Transportes Aereos for 20 118-seat E-195s plus 20 options, finalizing an order announced at the Paris Air Show (ATWOnline, June 22). The deal includes 20 "rolling options," which if confirmed constitute purchase rights for an additional 15 aircraft, the manufacturer said. Value of the 20 firm aircraft is $730 million at list prices and the deal could reach $2.7 billion if all options and rights are exercised.

Ilyushin Finance Co. reached several leasing and purchase agreements yesterday at the MAKS air show outside Moscow, according to press reports from Russia. It signed leasing agreements for six Tu-204-100s with Red Wings Airlines (15 years worth $250-$350 million, according to conflicting press reports) and for six An-148s with GTK Rossiya. Deliveries to both carriers are scheduled to start next year. The latter airline signed an MOU with IFC for the purchase of an additional six An-148s and one Il-96-300.

Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States will require 1,060 new commercial aircraft worth about $70 billion over the next 20 years, Boeing said yesterday in an update to its annual forecast released two months ago (ATWOnline, June 14). The manufacturer decided its Current Market Outlook should include a separate regional forecast for Russia/CIS for the first time.

Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems received both Supplemental Type Certification and Technical Standard Order Authorization from US FAA on 757s for SafeRoute, its ADS-B-based program that provides on-ground situational awareness and merging and spacing assistance to pilots (ATWOnline, Aug. 20). It still is awaiting operational approval from FAA that would allow the technology to be used on commercial flights. "The ball's basically in FAA's court," an ACSS spokesperson told ATWOnline.

All 157 passengers and eight crew were reported safe following a fire and explosion that destroyed a China Airlines 737-800 at a gate at Naha Airport on Okinawa yesterday morning. Flight Safety Foundation's Aviation Safety Network said the CFM56-7B-powered aircraft, which first flew in 2002, departed Taipei and landed safely at Naha, but that a fire "erupted in or near the No. 1 engine as the plane arrived at the stand." Following a successful evacuation via escape slides, "a large explosion occurred in the center of the airplane," which "burned out completely."