-British Airways regional partner Maersk Air has ordered two additional Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) Series 200LRs for delivery in early 1999. The move marks a continuation of the company's BAC One-Eleven replacement programme, which began late last year with an order for three CRJ-200s.
-Alaskan carrier Taquan Air will this month take delivery of two 19-seat Jetstream 32EPs from British Aerospace Asset Management - Turboprops, for a new scheduled airline operation, AirOne. It plans to start a regional service in south-east Alaska on 1 May. AirOne will serve Juneau, Ketchikan and other large communities in the area.
-Southwest Airlines has agreed to acquire three Boeing 737-300s formerly operated by the now defunct Western Pacific Airlines. The aircraft will be acquired from two lessors.
-United Express regional carrier Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA) has confirmed five conditional orders for Bombardier CRJs, taking the number on firm order to 23. The new aircraft will be delivered in 1999.
-Tulsa, Oklahoma-based charter carrier Omni Air International has purchased two 370-seat McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s from Condor, for delivery in November 1998 and June 1999.
-Kitty Hawk has leased two Boeing 747-200 combis acquired from Middle East Airlines (MEA) back to the Lebanese carrier for passenger service because of delays in converting them to freighters. Boeing should complete conversion of the first of three ex-MEA 747s in April, rather than February as planned. Others will follow in June and September.
-Thai Airways International has sold its fleet of three McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30ERs to Fortis Aviation. The aircraft are believed to be destined for Northwest Airlines.
-Malaysia Airlines has sold its last Airbus Industrie A300B4 to an undisclosed purchaser, and the airline is also seeking buyers for its four DC-10-30s.
Source: Flight International