Aircraft Leasing

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has retained London-based Aircraft Leasing & Management to sell five Fokker 50s. SAS Commuter will then lease back the airplanes from the new owner until early 2008.

World Famous Laugh Factory

Independence Air [FLYI] in partnership with World Famous Laugh Factory have produced original comedy material that will be featured on the carrier's digEplayer inflight entertainment system. The program features Dave George, an Independence employee and an airport comic, as the FlyI Guy. Other Laugh Factory comedy club acts will be featured. A new installment will be loaded onto the players every other month. The carrier provides the digEplayers on its transcontinental routes. George's FlyI Guy will also be featured in the chain's comedy clubs.

Boeing

Boeing's [BA] Phantom Works division is developing new technology with Chorus Motors that can eliminate the need for airport tow tugs or a plane's jet engines to maneuver aircraft at an airport. The new system allows pilots to move an aircraft using an electric engine that Chorus has attached to the nose wheel. The system was tested in June on an Air Canada B767. The pilots were able to gain complete control of the plane from gate to gate without using a tug or the plane's jet engines. Boeing said the test indicated there is a market for an on-board electrical motor if weight and packaging issues can be resolved. A Chorus unit, WheelTug, has been assigned the aerospace application rights.

Jeppesen, a Boeing subsidiary and a leading provider of aeronautical data, announced last week the launch of Jeppesen Marine, its newest business venture. The new business unit leverages Jeppesen's 70-plus years of experience in the aeronautical information business to provide the commercial marine market with similar digital navigation and information solutions.

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Covenant Aviation Security have been approved to participate in the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) screening partnership program. The two have teamed up to provide private screening services to those airports approved to hire private screeners. Covenant already has contracts to provide private screeners at San Francisco International Airport and Tupelo Regional Airport. In the past, Lockheed had trained and deployed screeners employed directly by TSA. It will continue to train TSA screeners.

BAA

BAA USA recently won a revised contract to manage the retail, food and beverage operations in the B, D and E terminals at Boston Logan International Airport. The Massachusetts Port Authority, the airport's owner, extended BAA's contract through 2016. In 2000, BAA won a 10-year contract to handle the retail space in Logan's two main terminals. Under the new agreement, BAA will spend $4.8 million to develop 15,000 square feet of retail space in Pier A of Terminal B. The two-year construction program will include new construction as well as shifting two security search areas. The new space is to be ready in mid-2007.

Flooring Adventures

Flooring Adventures, a Richmond, Va.-based firm, has introduced a new product, Tuff-Seal Aviation Flooring. The aviation flooring consists of inter-locking tile made of recycled PVC. The system is watertight and insulates as well as reduces noise levels, according to the company. No adhesives or prep work is needed prior to installing the system.