Aeroflot announced yesterday that it intends to split its order for 44 250/300-seat aircraft between the 787 and A350 XWB. The number of aircraft is double the original stated requirement. The split order follows what is perceived to be a new balanced approach to Russia's relationship with Boeing and Airbus. Aeroflot had indicated a preference for the 787 prior to the re-launch of the A350 in June and Vneshtorgbank's purchase of 5% of EADS last week (see above item).

CommutAir signed a lease agreement with Horizon Air for 16 Q200s, with deliveries beginning in January. CommutAir will operate the 37-seat turboprops on behalf of Continental Connection at CO's Cleveland hub.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, parent of Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo, placed a firm order with Boeing yesterday for 12 GEnx-powered 747-8 freighters valued at $3.4 billion, with deliveries slated for 2010-11. Atlas operates the world's largest fleet of 747Fs with 20 dash 400Fs and 15 dash 200Fs and had been considering replacements for four dash 200Fs, a dash 100F and a dash 300F retired from Polar's fleet earlier this year (ATWOnline, Aug. 15).

Boeing's 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter, the specially modified 747-400 that will transport major assemblies for the 787, took to the air for the first time Saturday. The aircraft left from Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport for a 2-hr. flight, initiating a test program targeting FAA certification. It is designed to accommodate three times the cargo volume of a standard dash 400 freighter.

RegionsAir reached agreement to purchase 12 J32s that had been on lease from BAE Systems. Formerly known as Corporate Airlines, the Tennessee-based Regional operates 10 J32s as American Connection and four Saab 340s for Continental Connection.