Aircraft & Engines

American Airlines has signed agreements with Bombardier and Embraer to purchase 90 new 76-seat regional jets. Consistent with American’s Plan of Reorganization and Merger Agreement, these aircraft will provide much improved economics for the airline as they will replace smaller, less efficient 50-seat regional aircraft scheduled for retirement. American has firm orders for 30 Bombardier

AWAS has agreed with ANA Holdings (ANAHD) to the lease of an additional two new A320 aircraft from its order pipeline. ANAHD will use these additional aircraft to support the continued expansion of Vanilla Air, their low cost regional subsidiary which will be based in Narita and commence service with the following launch destina tions:

Kuwait Airways, the National airline of Kuwait, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to buy ten A350-900 and fifteen A320neo Family aircraft. The order is part of Kuwait Airways’ fleet renewal strategy. The carrier already operates three A320, three A310, five A300 and four A340 Family aircraft.

The Italian Police has taken delivery of a fifth AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopter which will be based in Reggio Calabria. The contract, which was signed in July last year, includes a total of eight AW139 helicopters. Designated UH-139C, the Italian Police’s helicopters operate from bases in Southern Italy (Bari, Palermo and Reggio Calabria) as

GE Capital Aviation Services reported the delivery of a new leased Airbus A330 aircraft to China Airlines to help modernize its fleet. This is the first of two A330s that will be leased to China Airlines. The second is scheduled for delivery in 2014. The aircraft come from GECAS’ existing orderbook with Airbus. In addition

ILFC delivered a new Boeing 737-800 to Southeastern China-based Xiamen Airlines. This aircraft is the last of four new B737-800s, which have been delivered by ILFC to the airline during the current year as part of a long-term lease agreement.

Bombardier Aerospace reported that Nantong Tongzhou Bay Aviation Industry has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire 30 firm Q400 NextGen aircraft, as it prepares to launch commercial airline operations in China through an airline to be named “Sutong Airlines.” Sutong Airlines, to be based in Nantong, Jiangsu plans to operate an all-Bombardier fleet

Bombardier reported the closing of the sale of Flexjet’s activities to Flexjet, LLC, a newly-created company funded by a group led by Directional Aviation Capital. The previously announced total consideration of US $185m, following purchase price adjustments, is now estimated at US $195m, including the assumption of an estimated US $70m of customer advances by

Iraqi Airways, the national carrier of Iraq, has signed a firm purchase agreement to acquire five CS300 mainline jetliners. The agreement, which also includes options on 11 CS300 aircraft, follows a letter of intent (LOI) to purchase the aircraft that was announced by Bombardier on November 19 during the Dubai Airshow.