US Airways has confirmed its deal with Airbus for 34 A321-200s, making it the first US carrier to select the stretched A320 model (Flight International, 18-24 January). Deliveries of the CFM International CFM56-powered 170-seater will begin next year. Raytheon Aircraft has leased two secondhand Beech 1900Cs to Bogota-based Aerotaca, and delivered one example to Denver, Colorado-based Sundance Air for freight operations. Meanwhile, Florida-based Gulfstream International Airlines has leased seven 1900Cs from the manufacturer. Iberia has ordered an Airbus A340-300, which will arrive in 2001. Gulf Falcon Group has purchased two Boeing 707-320Cs from Airwing (one ex-Simba Air Cargo and one ex-German air force). Seven more 707s are planned to be acquired this year. Meanwhile, Reed Aerospace on-line service Air Transport Intelligence reports that Taiwan's China Airlines has handed over the second of two Boeing 747SPs to the Qatar-based carrier. GB Airways has ordered two more International Aero Engines V2500-powered A320s, for delivery in 2002. American Airlines has ordered a single 737-800. United Airlines has placed orders for four Airbus 319s and five A320s. The V2500-powered aircraft will be delivered from 2002. Boeing received two orders each in December and January from undisclosed customers for Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered 777-300s. An order for two Rolls-Royce RB211-powered 757-200s was also placed. Air Algerie has leased a 737-800 from Turkish charter airline Pegasus. Singapore Airlines subsidiary Silkair has ordered a single V2500-powered A320 for delivery next year. Delta Air Lines has ordered a 737-800. Recently formed Georgian carrier Airzena-Georgian (through the merger of Air Zena and Air Georgia) has acquired its first Western aircraft - a Boeing 737-500 on lease from German carrier Hapag-Lloyd.
Source: Flight International