Trans World Airlines has leased three used Boeing 767-300ERs from GE Capital Aircraft Services, one for delivery in August and two in February. TWA has sold GECAS five 767-200s, which it is leasing back until delivery of the -300ERs. The airline realised net cash proceeds of $31 million, plus $5 million due by closing at the fifth aircraft in the third quarter. GECAS has an option to purchase a sixth 767-200. While TWA's 767 fleet will be reduced, some being replaced by 11 new 757-200s on order, the newer -300ERs, including a new aircraft on order for August delivery, carry 41 more passengers. ILFC has signed a deal with Air France to lease the airline two Airbus A340-300s and two A319s - all the aircraft are CFM56-powered. A GE90-powered Boeing 777-200IGW is also included in the deal. The leases are for five to six years, with extension options. The French carrier has also leased two ex-Malaysia Airlines 737-500s from GE Capital Aviation Services. The CIT Group has sold a Boeing 737-200 to US Airways. Southwest Airlines has firmed up options for a further six Boeing 737-700s. The aircraft are to be delivered in 2000. Uzbekistan Airways has purchased two Boeing 757-200s from the manufacturer. China Aviation Supplies Import and Export has purchased three Bombardier Dash 8-Q400s. The turboprop aircraft will be operated by Changan Airlines of Shaanxi Province. Deliveries will take place in the second half of next year. The Canadian company has also sold a Dash 8-Q400 to Taiwan-based UNI Airways. Biman Bangladesh has taken delivery of a Fokker F28-4000. The deal was completed by Fortis Aviation acting as the agrents for Trigana Air Service, the Indonesian scheduled and charter operator. GE Capital Aviation Services has purchased 13 Boeing MD-82s from China Eastern. Three have already been leased back, a further six are to be leased to Spanair and four to Spirit Airlines.
Source: Flight International
