Boeing is understood to be looking at taking a few pounds off the 747-8 Intercontinental with increased use of composites, a move aimed at gaining the extra range Emirates requires for its Dubai-US West Coast mission.

Now the sole shareholder in Airbus, EADS felt the full impact of the aircraft manufacturer's troubles as it reported a €195 million ($248.8 million) third-quarter loss, a reversal from a €279 million profit in the year-ago quarter. At Airbus, operating result plunged to a €350 million loss from a €410 million profit even as revenues rose 14% to €5.42 billion.

FedEx Express yesterday cancelled its $2.3 billion order for 10 A380Fs and placed an order for 15 777Fs with 15 options, becoming the first airline to cancel an A380 order and dealing a serious blow to beleaguered Airbus.

Aeroflot's board said last week that production of the Sukhoi Superjet 100, for which the Russian flag carrier became the launch customer with an order for 30 (ATWOnline, June 1), "is being realized in conformity with the schedule and working plan." The RRJ is scheduled to be certified and delivered in 2008.

Lufthansa will wait until after Airbus firmly commits to the A350 XWB before making a decision on buying a 250-seat long-haul aircraft, VP-Americas Jens Bischof told reporters in Washington last week. The carrier will compare the revamped A350 with the 787. "We'll see who has the better product once the A350 redesign is done," he said.