Delta Air Lines Inc., in a sign of its resurgent financial strength and willingness to spend heavily as it expands outside the U.S., is likely to order as many as 125 of Boeing Co.'s new 787 jetliners by the end of this year, its operating chief said. The order, still being negotiated as Delta mulls potential seat configurations for the planes and how much they could cost to operate and maintain, would be valued at an estimated $20 billion at list prices, although such orders normally carry steep discounts. The 125 would likely include options to buy planes as well as long term leasing.

Qatar Airways, which launched flights to the United States in late June hired celebrity lifestyle guru and party planner extraordinaire Colin Cowie to design the airline’s star-studded gala dinner in New York City on June 28. The Doha-based carrier began four flights a week between its hub in Qatar and Newark Liberty International Airport on June 26, followed three weeks later on July 19 by daily non-stop services linking Doha and Washington, D.C. Luminaries from the world of fashion, business, sports and entertainment attended the gala event, which featured CNN’s Richard Quest as Master of Ceremonies. A connoisseur of style, Colin Cowie’s impressive client list includes Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Michael Jordan and Hugh Hefner. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker is anticipating a warm welcome for the airline in the United States.

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the energy-rich Middle Eastern country, aims to start flying to Tokyo, having boosted the frequency of its Doha-Osaka flights from zero to daily over a two-year period to March, according to the head of the airline's operations in Japan. ''I think what is necessary is to have a direct flight from Tokyo,'' Area Manager Japan Jared Lee said in a recent interview with Kyodo News, noting there are many projects going on in Qatar involving big Japanese companies based in Tokyo. The 39-year-old Malaysian native said Qatar Airways has successfully expanded operations in Japan since it began flights between Doha, the Qatari capital, and Osaka, western Japan, two years ago as itsfirst direct regular flight services to Japan.

Australian airline Qantas Airways has reported that in March 2008 it will begin a new non-stop flight from Melbourne, Australia to Shanghai, China. The new service, which will use twoclass Airbus A330 aircraft, will offer two flights a week, on Mondays and Fridays from Shanghai and on Tuesdays and Saturdays from Melbourne. According to John Borghetti, Qantas executive general manager, the new service shows the airline's commitment to the state of Victoria. When the Melbourne-Shanghai services commence, the

airline will have ten services every week to China: five between Sydney and Shanghai, two between Melbourne and Shanghai and three between Sydney and Beijing.

US Airways Group Inc. plans to order at least 90 Airbus SAS aircraft valued at more than $10.7 billion to replace planes and add long-range jets, a person with direct knowledge of the sale said. US Airways will purchase about 60 single- aisle Airbus A320 aircraft, eight widebody A330s and 22 long-range A350 XWB jets, said the person, who asked not to be identified before today's announcement at the Paris air show. US Airways, the seventhlargest U.S. carrier, chose the Airbus planes over Boeing Co.'s 737 and 787 Dreamliner models after months of negotiations. Newer jets would save money on maintenance and fuel and enable US Airways to fly nonstop U.S.-China routes as the number of daily flights between the countries more than doubles by 2012. The sale also is a victory for Airbus, which trails Boeing in orders of 300-seat jetliners like the A350. US Airways ``needed to do something because a lot of their direct competitors have already ordered the 787,'' said George Hamlin, managing director of Airline Capital Associates in Fairfax, Virginia. ``They also gain the efficiencies of moving toward an all-Airbus fleet for their narrow-bodies.''

JetBlue has made some sweeping improvements to its service, as it continues its recovery from an embarrassing start to the year. Some 130,000 JetBlue passengers were grounded at New York JFK on Valentine's Day, after a poor response to a severe storm led to the cancellation of 1,200 flights. The debacle ended up costing the airline around $41 million, and precipitated the hiring of Russ Chew, as Chief Operations Officer. Since his appointment, JetBlue has transformed its service, with plans to expand its operation in smaller-size markets, as well as selling tickets through conventional travel agents, not just via its Web site. The carrier

has also become an industry pioneer, by producing the first written guarantee that confirms passenger remuneration policies, after lengthy taxiway delays. Dave Barger, JetBlue Chief Executive Officer and one of the only members of the original management team to survive the Valentine's Day shake-up, was delighted with the changes Chew had made. "We're going to be a stronger company as a result," he said. Chew has claimed that the airline was vulnerable to a "zero departure rate", with the speedy growth of the airline creating huge passenger traffic and leaving it exposed to massive problems should a delay occur. Barger hoped that the changes - including improved weather-forecasting capabilities - will mean that when "Mother Nature wins", JetBlue will be able to "make sure it's only a one-day event".

Continental Airlines and China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in The People’s Republic of China, today announced that they have entered into a strategic partnership for frequent flyer and airport lounge access reciprocity and extensive codesharing, providing better service to customers who travel between America and China and transfer between the two carriers. “As we look to build upon our successful service to China, we are honored to partner with China Southern. Our customers will appreciate the benefits of this new agreement,” said Larry Kellner, chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines. “China Southern is the right partner for us in China and we look forward to welcoming them into the SkyTeam alliance in the very near future.” “As an industry leader, Continental Airlines' cooperation with China Southern will significantly increa! se CZ's market share on cross-Pacific and the US domestic market,” said China Southern Chairman Liu Shao Yong.

Etihad Airways has placed an order with Airbus worth $2.2 billion at list prices for 12 new wide-body aircraft which includes four A340-600s, five A330 passenger aircraft and three A330 freighters. The agreement was signed today by James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive and Louis Gallois, Airbus president and CEO. The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2008 and 2011 and upon completion will increase the UAE national airline’s fleet to 42 aircraft. The four A340-600 aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines and powerplants for the eight A330 aircraft will be chosen in the next two months. James Hogan, said: “This aircraft order will enable Etihad to continue its impressive route network growth which now stands at 43 global destinations. Each new Airbus aircraft within the new order has been specifically chosen to fit our ambitious development plans.”

Airline Celebrates Accomplishments of “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron with Aircraft Dedication
Delta Air Lines celebrated Major League Baseball Hall of Fame and Home Run King Hank Aaron by unveiling a newly branded Boeing 757 aircraft in his honor. The event honors Aaron’s accomplishments and contributions to the game with a signature aircraft that is branded with artwork of Aaron’s historic 715th home run to surpass Babe Ruth as baseball’s alltime home run king. Dubbed the “Hank Aaron 755” to commemorate his 755 career-capping home runs, the aircraft will be unveiled by Hank Aaron and Delta Chief Financial Officer Ed Bastian at a ceremony near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “Baseball’s all-time, home-run record is arguably the greatest record in sports and Delta is thrilled to honor the man who holds it, Atlanta’s own Hank Aaron,” said Bastian. “Mr. Aaron thrilled millions of fans in his years with the Braves and, since his retirement from baseball as an active player in 1976, has remained an important member of the Braves’ organization and the Atlanta community. As Atlanta’s hometown airline and the Official Airline of the Atlanta Braves, Delta is proud to dedicate one of our aircraft to a resident of the Atlanta community who has become a national treasure and a global baseball icon.”