Spanish regional Air Nostrum has signed an $80 million contract with ATR for five new ATR 72-500s, which replace two of the airline's four ATR72-210s. Deliveries will begin in March and be completed by early 2000. The carrier, which operates services under franchise for Iberia, will begin receiving the aircraft in March, and deliveries will be completed early next year.
Air Macau has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321-200 ordered directly from Airbus. It joins five leased aircraft already in service, plus one A320, all powered by International Aero Engines V2500s.
GE Capital Aviation Services has placed orders with Airbus for 12 narrowbodies, while cancelling orders for five widebodies. The new orders include one A319, eight A320s and three A321s, while the cancellations cover two A330s and three A340-300s.
Omega Air has bought a Boeing 707-300C from the Royal Moroccan Air Force.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has placed five firm orders with five options for the ultra-long range Airbus A340-500, confirming its previously announced commitment to the type. All the aircraft on firm order will be delivered by mid-2003, and will be used to develop the first non-stop transpacific operations from Singapore to destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Air Jamaica has concluded an agreement with International Lease Finance for the lease of an ex-Air Mauritius A340-300, for delivery in May.
Saudi Arabian Airlines has withdrawn its fleet of 17 LockheedL-1011 TriStar 200s from service and parked them. Buyers are being sought for the 18-24-year-old Rolls-Royce RB211-524B-powered aircraft.
Air Berlin has placed orders for four Boeing 737-800s.
Venezuela's Aserca is aiming to introduce two Boeing 737-800s on lease from GATX Capital in April.
Cimber Air of Denmark has taken delivery of its first of up to four new ATR 72-500s. A second firmly ordered aircraft is due for delivery in March.
Source: Flight International