Pinnacle Airlines, which operates 127 CRJs as a Northwest Airlink partner, is in the market for large turboprops that may be placed with Colgan Air, which Pinnacle acquired last month for $20 million in cash and stock (ATWOnline, Jan. 19). Pinnacle CFO Peter Hunt said the company is looking at both ATR 42s/72s and Q400s and a decision on an order for 20-25 70-seat aircraft could be placed within weeks.

Alaska Airlines said it introduced two 737-400 combis into its fleet for service within Alaska. The conversions were done by Pemco World Air Services. Two more 737-400Cs will enter the fleet by year end. The aircraft, the first 737-400 combis, accommodate 72 passengers and four cargo pallets on the main deck.

Naysa of the Canary Islands ordered two additional ATR 72-500s worth $36 million, adding to the four ordered in September. They will be delivered this year. Naysa currently operates Beech 1900s.

US NTSB is investigating an uncontained engine failure aboard a Mesa Airlines CRJ200LR operating as America West Express on Jan. 25. Flight 2985 was en route from Denver to Phoenix, NTSB said. None of the 54 passengers and crewmembers on board was injured as the crew declared an emergency and returned to Denver. Investigators are searching for engine debris from the CF34-3B1. The aircraft was built in 1999.

Austrian Airlines took delivery of its fourth 777-200ER Tuesday, at which time it had no other orders or options placed with any aircraft manufacturer.