Aeroflot plans to increase its increase its fleet of nine 767-300ERs and is looking to lease three from ILFC. It would take delivery in the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of 2007.

CityJet, Air France-KLM's Dublin-based Regional subsidiary, said it has concluded negotiations for the acquisition of 23 Avro RJ85s worth a combined $221 million. The supplier was not announced but likely they will come from BAE Systems, which continues to manage a number of the aircraft. CityJet will take first delivery in November. It now operates 19 BAe 146s. "The close relationship of the new aircraft type to the BAe 146 currently operated allows the airline to dovetail its introduction into the existing fleet," CityJet said.

On the eve of next week's Farnborough International Airshow, Airbus still has not presented a formal offer on the revised A350--dubbed the A350N--to key customer Emirates. An airline spokesperson confirmed to ATWOnline that "no formal offer has been made," which some say indicates that the manufacturer is some ways away from firming up its revised A350.

Pratt & Whitney named United Technologies Corp. VP-Corporate Strategy and Development Todd Kallman as president of its Commercial Engines division effective immediately. Kallman, 50, succeeds Steve Heath, who is retiring. Kallman held his position at UTC since 2003 and oversaw more than 50 acquisitions totalling $8.4 billion, including Chubb, Kidde, Lenel, Linde and Rocketdyne. He worked at Lockheed Martin for 14 years before joining UTC in 2001 as VP-finance and CFO of Hamilton Sundstrand.

ANA is moving forward with plans to build its fleet around twin-engine aircraft with the sale of six of its 23 747-400s to Avion Aircraft Trading of Iceland. The aircraft are configured for both domestic routes (569 passengers) and international operations (from 287 passengers). ANA has been replacing the dash 400s on domestic routes with 777-300s seating 477 passengers. It is moving to smaller types such as the 777, 767 and 787 because of the addition of a second runway at Tokyo Narita and a planned fourth runway at Tokyo Haneda, which has reduced the requirement for larger types.