Alpi Eagles has signed a firm contract for four Embraer ERJ-145s for delivery from the second quarter of next year. CIT Aerospace has confirmed a $3.5 billion order announced at the Farnborough air show for 35 A320 family aircraft and 15 A330s. Airbus says that the order includes A318s, as well as "flexibility among A330/A340 family members". Meanwhile, CIT has taken delivery of its first two new Airbus A320s. The CFM International CFM56-5B4/P-powered aircraft have been leased to UK charter operator Air 2000. Air Sicilia is expanding its fleet with the introduction this month of a Fokker 100 on wet lease from Alpi Eagles. The airline is also seeking two additional Boeing 737s for 2001. Dragonair will receive the first of two ex-Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-300 Special Freighters in July, with the second arriving in September. The aircraft will be converted to SFs from combi configuration by Taikoo Aircraft Engineering (TAECO) in Xiamen, China (Flight International, 7-13 November). Antonov/Air Foyle joint venture Antonov Airlines is operating six Antonov An-124 flights from Osaka, Japan to Vancouver, Canada, carrying 540t of Firestone car tyres. The effort is part of Bridgestone's massive tyre replacement programme for Ford.

Source: Flight International