++ Philippine Airlines has agreed to the early return of two Boeing 747-200s to the lessor, Atlas Air. The two aircraft, acquired by Atlas under earlier sale/leaseback deals, were scheduled to be handed back in late 1998 and 2000 but will instead be terminated in January and February 1998. The two aircraft will undergo freighter conversion at Boeing and will enter service with Atlas in the second quarter of 1998. ++ GE Capital Aviation Services has converted two of its three orders for the Airbus A319 to A320s. ++ The new Bangladeshi regional airline GMG will introduce three ex-Mesaba de Havilland Dash 8-100s on lease from Bombardier during the first quarter of 1998. ++ Lan Chile has placed orders with Boeing for two 767-300ERs (no engine selection has been announced). ++ Skymark Airlines of Japan has signed a lease deal for a single Boeing 767-300ER from International Lease Finance (ILFC), for delivery in the third quarter of 1998. ++ Miami-based cargo airline Fine Air Services has purchased a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 200 freighter off lease from ILFC. The ex-LTU TriStar was originally leased to Fine Air in August 1997, with the option to purchase. ++ British Aerospace Asset Management-Jets has placed three ex-Atlantic Southeast Airlines BAe 146-200s on lease with the United Express carrier Air Wisconsin. One aircraft has been delivered, while the second two are scheduled to join the airline in February 1998. ++Mexicana has signed to lease three additional Pratt & Whitney PW2040-powered Boeing 757-200s from ILFC, for delivery in August (two) and November (one) 1998, on eight-year terms. ++ Blue Scandanavia has leased an ex-Air 2000 Boeing 757-200 from Aviation Capital Group for six years. ++ Sichuan Airlines will take two of China Aviation Supplies batch of 20 Airbus A321s in September and December 1998, powered by International Aero Engines V2500s.
Source: Flight International
