News time!

AP-BGJ, The first 777 for PIA is ready for delivery.
————————————————————————————————————–

PH-KCI, the first KLM MD-11 To be in the new colours. Pic here:- http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=210946
————————————————————————————————————–

CS-TTJ of TAP is to appear in these special Euro 2004/Portugal tourism colours in Febuary.

————————————————————————————————————–

CSA Last week ordered 7 new ATR42-500’s, the first 5 to be delivered in 2004, and the other 2 to follow in 2005.
————————————————————————————————————–

UPS is expecting a delivery of a new Airbus A300 aircraft, here she is in the new colours.

————————————————————————————————————–

BOEING AND CATHAY PLAN TO LAUNCH NEW 747-400SF PROGRAM.

Boeing and Cathay Pacific Airways confirmed plans that Cathay Pacific will launch the Boeing 747-400 Special Freighter program, with an initial agreement to convert at least six, and as many as 12, 747-400 passenger airplanes into freighters. Cathay Pacific will receive its first Special Freighter in December 2005, and the sixth during 2007. On the conversion Boeing is working together with Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering (TAECO) in Xiamen, China on the prototype modification.
The airline will also purchase one new 747-400 Freighter, to be delivered during February 2005
—————————————————————————————————————

TNT Is adding another 5 737-300 freighters to its fleet.
—————————————————————————————————————

WESTJET PLACE ORDER FOR 7 NEW BOEING 737-700 JETS.
Boeing today confirmed that Canadian low-fare carrier WestJet has ordered seven new Boeing 737-700s to add to its all-737 fleet. The airplanes, which have a catalog value of about U.S. $360-million, are scheduled for delivery in 2005.
WestJet, based in Calgary, Alberta, recently celebrated its 27th consecutive quarter of profitability and has consistently recorded 50-percent annual growth as it expanded its routes across Canada.
Founded in 1996, WestJet flew a fleet of 737-200s in its first five years of operation. It began adding Next-Generation 737-700s in 2001. The airline currently operates 44 Boeing 737s, including 26 737-700s.
“The Boeing 737 has played a crucial role in the growth of WestJet,” said Clive Beddoe, the airline’s executive chairman, CEO and president. “They have helped us lower our cost structure and contributed greatly to our profitability.”
Beddoe said the 737-700s have reduced maintenance costs 46 percent and increased fuel efficiency 30-percent compared with the carrier’s 737-200s.
WestJet based its business model on that of Southwest Airlines, the U.S. low-fare carrier that operates only Boeing 737s. Airlines in several areas of the world, including Ryanair in Europe, Virgin Blue in Australia and GOL in Brazil, have adopted the Southwest model. All fly only 737s and all three are profitable.
—————————————————————————————————————

EMBRAER AND AIR CANADA SIGN AGREEMENT FOR 4 EMRAER 190’S
Embraer and Air Canada have signed a commercial proposal for the sale of 45 EMBRAER 190s, with the possibility of options for 45 additional EMBRAER 190s.
Under the agreement, deliveries of the two-class configured airplanes will begin in 2005. The final contract, subject to a number of conditions, is planned for the first quarter of 2004. The firm order is valued at US$ 1.35 billion, at list price, with a potential value of more than US$ 2.7 billion if all options are exercised.
“We are honored with the selection by Air Canada. They performed a very deep and comprehensive technical and operational evaluation of a number of aircraft models, which makes this decision even more rewarding for Embraer,” said Maurício Botelho, President and CEO of Embraer. “It confirms that our EMBRAER 170/190 family has all the attributes a customer looks for in terms of performance, comfort and cost.”
“Embraer’s new generation jets will provide Air Canada with the ability to pursue new strategic market opportunities while offering customers low cost, high frequency jet service throughout North America,” said Robert Milton, Air Canada’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Embraer jets feature industry-leading technology and comfort that is consistent with Air Canada’s customer service philosophy in this highly competitive marketplace.”
Once the purchase agreement is finalized, Air Canada would become the third customer worldwide to order the EMBRAER 190. As of September 30, 2003 the EMBRAER 170/190 family had 245 firm orders and 308 purchase options.

Picture credit to, skyliner-aviation.de and Embraer.