Australian low cost airline Virgin Blue has reached an agreement to order up to 50 Boeing 737 single-aisle jets. The order announcement came as the airline reported improved profitability in the six months ending December 2009. Virgin Blue reported net income of A$62.5 million during that period compared with a net loss of A$101.4 million during the same period in 2008. Virgin Blue already operates Boeing 737s on its domestic Australian routes.

Macquarie Rotorcraft to acquire 12-helicopter portfolio from Milestone
AerCap offshoot Milestone Aviation Group (Milestone) has agreed to sell a 12-helicopter portfolio to Macquarie Rotorcraft. The portfolio will comprise a combination of Sikorsky S-92, Airbus H135, Bell 412 and Leonardo AW109, AW139 and AW189 helicopters which are presently on lease to six customers in nine countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South-East