Egyptian carrier Midwest Airlines has ordered two Airbus A320s for delivery in 2002 and taken two additional options. Further to last week's report on Cathay Pacific's fleet expansion, the three Airbus A330s which are to be taken on lease are thought to be Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered -200s from Korean Air. The deal includes confirmation of the acquisition of the prototype Boeing 777-200 (with Rolls-Royce Trent engines) for delivery in December and an R-R RB211-powered 747-400 freighter for delivery in April 2001. Flight International's sister on-line service Air Transport Intelligence reports that Atlas Air has confirmed plans to purchase two General Electric CF6-powered Boeing 747-300 Combis, which will be converted to full freighters by Boeing in Wichita. The aircraft are believed to be ex-KLM. Boeing has confirmed JMC Airlines' order for two R-R RB211-powered 757-300s, plus three options, for delivery from early next year. The UK charter airline will also take delivery of two 757-200s in mid-2000 on lease from GATX. America West will receive a new International Aero Engines V2524-powered Airbus A319 on 12-year lease from ILFC next April. Virgin's recently named Australian low-cost arm, Virgin Blue, will receive its first 737-300 leased from Brussels-based Virgin Express in July. Air Mauritius has ordered two CFM International CFM56-powered A319s, for delivery in the third quarter of 2001 and third quarter of 2002. Mexicana will take delivery of a new Pratt & Whitney PW2040-powered Boeing 757-200 on lease from ILFC on a six-year lease next March. World Airways is negotiating to lease three McDonnell Douglas DC-10 freighters, to be delivered this September/November and March 2001. Malaysia Airlines has concluded a 13-year sale and lease back deal with GECAS for a two-year-old PW4000-powered Boeing 747-400 and a Rolls-Royce Trent-powered 777-200ER.
Source: Flight International
