Boeing 747-8F First Flight

Yesterday the Boeing 747-8F flew for the first time. This will kickstart approximately 1600 hours of flight testing, using the first three aircraft of this new Jumbo variant. Boeing 747 Chief pilot Mark Feuerstein took RC 501 (s/n 1420) for a 3:39 hours long flight around Seattle and the Northwestern United States.

Pictures and video on flightglobal:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/09/338139/pictures.html

Turkish Airlines orders 20 Boeing 737s

Turkish Airlines currently on a shopping tour for new aircraft which is only comparable to the order spree of the Gulf Airlines. In addition to the 20 Airbus aircraft ordered a few weeks ago, Turkish now ordered 10 Boeing 737-800s and 10 longer Boeing 737-900ERs and also signed for 15 options. The aircraft will be delivered from 2011.

Here is a link:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/04/338030/turkish-airlines-to-acquire-20-737-800900ers.html

Ethiopian Airlines orders 10 Boeing 737

Rapidly expanding african Airline Ethiopian Airlines , which is currently preparing for membership in Star Alliance, orders 10 Boeing 737-800s for use on their intra-african network. Currently Ethiopian already flies 3 737-800s and 5 737-700s. The airline made headlines at this years Dubai Airshow when it ordered 12 Airbus A 350s.

Here is a link:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/22/337522/ethiopian-airlines-to-purchase-10-737-800s.html

Turkish Airlines orders 20 Airbus A 320 Family Aircraft

Turkish Airlines ordered 20 Airbus A 320 family aircraft consisting of 14 Airbus A 321s and 6 Airbus A 319s. Also the airline signed for 10 options which can be for any A 320 family member. The planes will be delivered in 2011 and 2012. In case the options will be exercised, those narrowbody jets would be delivered in 2013.

Here is a link:

http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=18936

China Eastern orders 16 Airbus A 330s

Yesterday China Eastern has announced that it has ordered 16 Airbus A 330s for delivery from 2011 to 2014. Interestingly there are currently rumours that Gulf Air has cancelled 16 Airbus A 330s because they want to focus more on regional flights instead of longhaul flights. Could it be that those 16 planes were originally destined for Gulf Air?
Once all A 330s are delivered, China Eastern will operate a fleet of 36 aircraft of this type.
Here is a link:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/12/28/336640/china-eastern-signs-for-16-a330s.html

Malaysia Airlines orders 15 Airbus A330s

Today Malaysia Airlines (MAS) announced its order for 15 Airbus A330-300 for delivery between 2011 and 2016. Furthermore they also signed for 10 options of the type. The whole deal should be worth 5 billion USD.

More on Flight International:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/12/22/336479/mas-orders-15-a330s.html

ANA orders 5 Boeing 767 and 5 Boeing 777

In an unexpected move today All Nippon Airways - ANA - announced its order of 5 Boeing 767-300ER and 5 Boeing 777-200ER. The 767s are "gap fillers" until the much delayed 787 Dreamliners arrive. The 777s are intended as replacements for the last remaining 747s.
The deal is worth 2 billion Us-Dollars.
Here is a link:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/12/21/336420/ana-orders-5-767s-5-777s-in-185.2-billion-deal.html