Air China plans to renew its fleet by introducing more widebody aircraft, a move it said will improve its overall operational efficiency. The Beijing-based carrier said in a statement that it is holding talks with Boeing and Airbus for new aircraft orders. It is interested in both the 787 and the A350. MD-International Affairs and Cooperation Lou Yongfeng told ATW last month that the carrier's international ambitions currently are curtailed by a shortage of long-haul aircraft.

Boeing forecast demand for 30,900 new commercial aircraft valued at $3.6 trillion over the next two decades in its latest Current Market Outlook released yesterday, projecting the global fleet will expand 92.2% from 18,890 currently to 36,300 in 2029.

Boeing yesterday conceded that delivery of the first 787 to launch customer ANA could slip into 2011. In widely reported comments, 787 Program VP and GM Scott Fancher said that while the company is still planning to deliver the aircraft in the fourth quarter, the margin in the Dreamliner's flight test program schedule has been "pushed."

Qantas Group announced yesterday that it brought forward deliveries of eight of its 50 787s on order to mid-2012, a move it said would allow it to speed the retirement of its 767s, give its low-cost carrier Jetstar a competitive edge and bolster its own domestic fleet.

Zodiac Aerospace rejected a takeover bid by Safran, which confirmed that it sent a letter to the chairman of the supervisory board of Zodiac proposing that the two companies examine the merits of consolidation. Zodiac directors unanimously decided against considering a merger during a July 9 board meeting.