CFM International won an order from Air China valued at $345 million for CFM56-5Bs to power 24 A321s scheduled to be delivered in 2008-12. In addition, CA signed a 15-year maintenance agreement. Air China and CFM agreed to establish a JV to develop a new MRO facility in China.

MNG Airlines, a Turkish freight operator, signed an MOU for two A330-200Fs plus one option, Airbus announced. MNG currently flies 10 A300B4-200s and eight F-27s.

Emirates and Boeing are working to try and reduce the weight of the 747-8 Intercontinental so the airline can operate Dubai-Los Angeles with 400 passengers (a 50-ton payload) year round. "We need another 500 miles and we are not there yet," EK President Tim Clark said, indicating he wants more capacity than is available aboard the 777-200LR. "We think we can fill 400 seats a day."

Boeing has been forced to drop its plans for a wireless IFE system on the 787 after it was found that regulatory issues would preclude the system's being activated over certain countries. Problems also were encountered with bandwidth limitations in some areas as well as weight. The silver lining is that the change will save 150 lb. In October Boeing acknowledged some problems with the 787's weight and delivery schedule (ATWOnline, Oct. 26, 2006), forcing it to raise R&D spending to support suppliers.

ATR booked firm orders from 13 airlines for seven ATR 42-500s and 56 72-500s along with 25 options in 2006. Ten carriers are new ATR customers, which CEO Filippo Bagnato said confirmed that "a new wave of regional low-cost airlines are adopting turboprops in Europe and Asian markets." He said ATR also was seeing, as predicted, an increasing demand for its product in South America and Africa. Last year's orders included a previously unreported seven aircraft plus five options from Brazilian company TRIP Linhas Aereas, signed in December. African carriers committed to 12 new aircraft.