Air Foyle has confirmed that its outsized cargo joint venture with Antonov is being expanded, with the design bureau's operating division, renamed Antonov Airlines, taking two additional An-124s (Flight International, 22-28 September). These ex-Rossiya operated aircraft bring the An-124 fleet to eight aircraft, and a ninth, ex-Titan, aircraft is to be acquired. This aircraft was expected to be leased by rival Volga-Dnepr, but Air Foyle says that the owner, Aviant, is to recover the aircraft from Titan after a Russian court ruling. FedEx will introduce two ex-Kuwait Airways Pratt & Whitney JT9D-powered Airbus A310-200s in March and April next year, acquired from the manufacturer for conversion into freighters by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa)Airbus. Greek domestic carrier Aegean Airlines has placed an order for a fourth British Aerospace Avro RJ100, following the recent delivery of its third aircraft. The fourth aircraft would be delivered in mid-December, and the airline has an option on a fifth for delivery next April. Palestinian Airlines has confirmed an order for two 50-seat Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) Series 200s (Flight International, 26 May - 1 June), with two 50-seat Dash 8 Q300s. SAM Colombia has negotiated an early termination of its nine year leases with British Aerospace (BAe) Asset Management on nine Avro RJ100s, which will see the aircraft returned to the manufacturer between now and next February. SAM's parent Avianca is planning to replace the aircraft with larger Boeing MD-80s. Maersk Air, the Birmingham-based British Airways franchise carrier, has firmed up an option for a single 50-seat CRJ-200. Volare Airlines has secured a further three Airbus A320s, with deliveries scheduled for December, February and April. The Italian charter carrier operates five A320s. Slovenia's Adria Airways has placed a follow-on order for a Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet Series 200.
Source: Flight International
