-Augsburg Airways has placed orders for six additional Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8s, including two series 200s and four larger series 300s, and taken options on a further seven aircraft. The order represents the ratification and expansion of a deal originally reached in November 1997 for three aircraft. The options can be taken as any variant of the Dash 8, including the -400. The new aircraft will replace some of the Dash 8s currently operated.
-Indian Airlines is seeking offers for four additional A320s which it wants to introduce on three-year dry leases late this year. The airline is seeking International Aero Engines V2500-A1-powered models to provide commonality with the 30 A320s it already operates.
-Transamerica of Uruguay has leased a Fairchild Dornier Metro III for 36 months from Sterling Credit. The aircraft will be operated between Uruguay and Argentina.
-El Al has placed an order for a fourth Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered Boeing 747-400, for delivery in the first quarter of 1999.
-MNG Airways has leased an Airbus A300B4 freighter from C-S Aviation Services/S-C Domestic Holdings. The Turkish cargo airline will use the British Aerospace Aviation Services converted aircraft on operations on services to Europe, the Middle East, Asia and CIS states.
-World Airways will wet lease a passenger-configured Boeing MD-11 to Brazil's VASP for six-months from June.
-During the first quarter of this year Delta Air Lines retired four Lockheed L-1011 TriStars, reducing its fleet to 42, and purchased three Boeing 727-200s off lease. It also acquired seven Stage 3 hushkit sets for its 737-200s and added three more 737-300s on lease.
-LanChile has revealed that it holds an additional 20 rolling options for the Airbus A320 family in addition to its 20 firm and 20 optioned aircraft. The order came as part of a joint deal for 179 A320 family aircraft placed with TACA and TAM during March.
Source: Flight International
