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SINGAPORE (AFP) - US aviation giant Boeing scored a major victory when Singapore Airlines (SIA) ordered 20 of its new mid-size jets while production delays plague its European rival Airbus, analysts said. SIA on Wednesday announced an order for 20 Boeing 787 aircraft worth 4.5 billion dollars, just hours after publicly expressing displeasure over a fresh postponement in the delivery of the much-vaunted Airbus A380 super jumbo jet. SIA, Asia's most profitable carrier, was supposed to be the first airline in the world to launch A380 commercial services and has spent a lot of resources to publicise the feat, only...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA - news) has decided to proceed with an expanded version of its hot-selling 787 Dreamliner jet, bowing to pressure from airlines, the executive who heads the 787 program said on Monday. The composite-built 787, due to start commercial flights in 2008, helped spark a recovery in Boeing's fortunes last year, as it overtook European archrival Airbus in orders for wide-body aircraft. Boeing had been reluctant to build a larger version of the plane, which would seat about 300 passengers in three classes, because of concern it would cannibalize sales from its older 777-200...

SEATTLE, Jan. 31, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today launched the 737-700ER (Extended Range), following an order conversion from ANA (All Nippon Airways) for two airplanes. The 737-700ER has the longest range capability of any 737 commercial family member, and is able to serve new nonstop, point-to-point routes profitably. ANA exercised rights to substitute 737-700s with 737-700ERs. The two 737-700ERs are part of a larger order announced June 23, 2003, for 45 737-700s. "The value of the Next-Generation 737 family continues to grow with the 737-700ER, and we are delighted to have ANA as the launch customer," said...

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 23, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] Missile Defense Systems (MDS) has taken delivery of the aircraft for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) program, achieving the first of several key milestones in the laser gunship effort. The C-130H transport, which belongs to the U.S. Air Force's 46th Test Wing, was handed over to Boeing on Jan. 18 in Crestview, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base. Boeing is modifying the aircraft to enable it to carry a high-energy chemical laser and battle management and beam control subsystems. Boeing will begin flight testing the aircraft this summer with all subsystems...

Ukraine has been withholding some Russian natural gas exports meant for customers in Europe, where several countries have reported falls in gas supplies amid a severe cold weather snap, an official with Ukraine's state-owned energy firm told AFP. "We have in fact allowed the withholding of gas in excess of the contract during the past day," a Naftogaz official said on the condition of anonymity. The official declined to say how much gas Ukraine -- which transports the vast majority of Russian gas exports to Europe -- was using over and above its agreed contract with Moscow. "But we are...

PARIS (Reuters) - European plane maker Airbus (EAD.PA) is expected to announce record sales and aircraft output for 2005 on Tuesday but could be forced to update the four-engine A340 to fight U.S. rival's Boeing's 777, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The three versions of the Airbus A340 won only 15 orders in the 11 months to November, according to the most recent figures Airbus published, the paper said. The two-engine A330-300 also won 15 orders. But Boeing's (NYSE:BA - news) competing 777 models won 154 orders last year. Airlines say that the 777 is beating the A340...

-1,002 net orders (1,029 gross) surpasses 877 net orders reached in 1988 -Record order totals posted for 737, 777 and 787 programs -New program launches also key 2005 highlight SEATTLE, Jan. 05, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] recorded 1,002 net commercial airplane orders during 2005, setting a new Boeing record for total orders in a single year. The 2005 total surpasses the previous Boeing record of 877 net orders in 1988, which includes both Boeing and then-McDonnell Douglas totals; the companies merged in 1997. Boeing posted 272 net orders for commercial airplanes in 2004. Gross orders in 2005,...

SEATTLE - Boeing Co. is talking with airlines about a stretch version of its new, fuel-efficient 787 jetliner. Yvonne Leach, Boeing's spokeswoman for the 787 program, said Tuesday the company is talking with Emirates Airlines, Qantas Airways Ltd. and an other airlines about the larger jet. She would not identify any of the other airlines or say how many had expressed interest. Boeing has been reluctant to commit to a bigger 787 because it would steal sales from an extended-range version of its popular 777. But industry analysts say it's smart for Boeing to offer a larger 787, since rival...

SEATTLE, Dec. 13, 2005 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE- BA] and El Al Airlines of Israel have signed an agreement for the purchase of two Boeing 777-200ER (Extended Range) jetliners. The airplanes, together valued at $362 million at list prices, are scheduled for delivery in 2007. The new 777-200ERs will help El Al expand service to meet growing demand for air travel in the Israeli market. El Al already operates four 777s on routes to New York and the Far East from Tel Aviv and will operate the new 777s to destinations in the U.S. and the Far East. "The...

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 12, 2005 -- The Boeing-led [NYSE: BA] Airborne Laser team announced today the successful completion of a series of tests involving its high energy laser at the Systems Integration Lab at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. During this test series, lasing duration and power were demonstrated at levels suitable for the destruction of multiple classes of ballistic missiles. This is the second of two program significant knowledge points planned for 2005. Airborne Laser's (ABL) megawatt-class Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) is designed and built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC). Lasing tests included more than 70 separate...

SEATTLE, Dec. 1, 2005 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today confirmed that Cathay Pacific Airways has announced commitments for 16 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners and purchase rights for 20 additional Boeing 777-300ERs. "This is one of the world's best airlines choosing one of the world's best airplanes," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Cathay Pacific's reputation for exceptional passenger service and effective and profitable operations makes its selection of the 777-300ER especially rewarding." In a press release issued in Hong Kong today, Cathay Pacific Airways said that it will acquire 16 new 777-300ER jetliners to...

PHOENIX -- US Airways Group Inc. has ordered 20 Airbus A350 planes honoring its promise to buy the fuel-efficient aircraft aimed at trans-Atlantic flights as part of a financing deal for the airline's acquisition by America West Airlines. Airbus SAS announced the binding order on Tuesday but did not disclose the financial terms. At list price, the 20 planes would be worth an estimated $4 billion, but buyers of multiple planes often get discounts. The European aircraft maker provided financing to help America West Holdings Corp. complete its purchase of US Airways, a deal closed in late September. As part...

PARIS, Nov 23 (AFP) - The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus will deliver A380 superjumbo airliners to Air France a year late on April 1, 2008, Air France president Jean-Cyril Spinetta said on Wednesday outside a press conference on the airline's six-month results. Spinetta had warned at a general meeting of shareholders in Air France-KLM on July 12 that the A380 would be delivered six months later than the planned date of April 1, 2007. The airline's head of finance, Philippe Calavia, said on Wednesday: "Airbus has had problems in respecting its planning. "We have agreed between us simply to delay...

DUBAI (AFP) - US manufacturer Boeing's new 747-8 jumbojet will not impact on sales of European aircraft maker Airbus' A380 giant plane, according to the head of the European aerospace and defence group EADS. "The 747-8 is more designed for the cargo market and therefore we do not anticipate that it will impact sales of the A380," Noel Forgeard, chief executive officer of EADS which has an 80-percent stake in Airbus, told local media on Tuesday. "In a passenger configuration the A380 can carry 555 passengers still more than the 747-8," he said. The 747-8 launched by Boeing in September...

First Major Leasing Company to Announce 787 Order Cites Broad Airline Demand DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA - News) and International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) today announced a firm order for 20 787 Dreamliners with four additional options. The order is valued at approximately $2.7 billion at list prices. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2010. ILFC is the first leasing company to be announced as a 787 customer. The airplanes were previously acknowledged on the Boeing Web site, attributed to an unidentified customer. "The 787 will meet the demand we...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Monday that Moscow plans to build a major oil pipeline from Siberia to the Pacific coast and said oil supplies would eventually flow to major consumer Japan. "We plan to build the pipeline to the Pacific coast with eventual supplies to the Asia-Pacifc region including Japan," Putin said in a speech at a Russia-Japan investors forum in Tokyo. Russia is building a 4,130-km (2,566 miles), $11.5 billion pipeline across Siberia that will pump 80 million tonnes of oil a year (1.6 million barrels per day) to the Pacific. State pipeline monopoly...

SEATTLE - Good news for airlines: Boeing's new 787 jetliners will be able to squeeze in a few more passengers than the company had previously expected. Boeing said Thursday the use of composite materials will allow it to fit slightly more room into the cabin of the airplane, which is scheduled to enter service in 2008. Marty Bentrott, vice president of sales and marketing with Boeing's 787 program, said the company also updated its seat counts in part to reassure airlines that they can pack in more paying customers than the sample seat counts previously given, if they choose different...

WASHINGTON (AFP) - An interceptor missile fired from a US Navy cruiser shot down a mock warhead over the Pacific after it had separated from a medium-range missile, the US military said. It was the sixth successful intercept in seven attempts since the tests of the sea-based missile defense system began in 2002, the Missile Defense Agency said. The sea-based system is designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range missiles with interceptor missiles fired from Aegis warships. The United States is developing a separate ground-based system in Alaska and California to intercept long-range missiles. Thursday's test was the first to intercept...

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - German airline DBA said it had ordered 40 new 737 jets from US aircraft maker Boeing, with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2008. The 737-700 and 737-800 jets, to be delivered between 2008 and 2010, would enable DBA to become "the number one" on the domestic German market ahead of flag carrier Lufthansa, DBA said in a statement Monday. The financial terms were not disclosed, but the list price of one new-generation 737 jet stands at 54 million dollars (46 million dollars). At present, DBA currently operates a fleet of 29 leased 737 jets....

MONTREAL, Nov. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., the parent company of Air Canada, today announced that the carrier has concluded an agreement with The Boeing Company for the acquisition of up to 36 Boeing 777s and up to 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Air Canada recently re-engaged discussions with Boeing after having obtained a satisfactory outcome with the airline's pilot group on costs and other issues that allowed the carrier to move forward on a sound economic basis with the modernization of its international wide-body fleet. The agreement includes firm orders for 18 Boeing 777s, plus purchase rights...