The fairly complex service will route Addis Ababa – Lome – Rio de Janeiro – Sao Paulo

This will be the first Dreamliner service to Brazil, and operates 3x weekly from 1st July.

This shows Southwest’s ongoing commitment to the 737, which is the sole aircraft type in its fleet (split across classic and NG models), and also makes the airline the launch customer for the MAX 7 variant.

Southwest also exercised options to add five more Next-Generation 737-800s to its fleet. These airplanes, along with the 737 MAX 7s, are part of Southwest’s ongoing effort to improve fuel efficiency and profitability. The 737 MAX 7 supports Southwest’s expanding fleet modernization effort. Southwest is expected to take its first 737 MAX 7 delivery in 2019.

The aircraft emerged from the paint facility at Toulouse in the white and blue scheme of Airbus, with its smart blended winglets adorned with ‘A350 XWB’ titles.

As reported earlier, the aircraft is expected to fly on 11 June, though this has not been confirmed officially yet.

Therefore I’ve updated the Boeing 787 Routes page with the latest information available from the airlines through a number of excellent routes websites.

You can find out the latest planned routes and dates at this link: Boeing 787 Routes page

Since 6th May, a Lamborghini Aventador LP has been in use. It is painted with a red and white chequered livery, and furnished with Follow Me signs. Drivers have been trained to use the car by Lamborghini test driver, Mario Fasanetto.

The use of the car is to promote the 50th Anniversary of Automobili Lamborghini, and will also see an exhibition on Lamborghini inside Bologna’s main terminal.

The V12 engined car will be in use, guiding up to 140 flights per day at Bologna Airport, until 16th May.

The feature shows a snapshot of pictures from Mumbai’s airports, and gives a taste for the book (copies available here).

There’s also the chance to win a copy of Mumbai Airports Through Time, so grab a copy quickly. Go to this link to order: www.airportsworld.com

Or simply head to your local news agent.

Sources on various forums have recently indicated that the first flight has been scheduled for 11th June at Toulouse.

This fuels the rumours that the aircraft will make a public appearance during this year’s Paris Air Show, which runs between 17-23 June. The public days of the air show are 21-23, which are the days that the type is most likely to appear if the rumours are true.

I stress that these are just rumours and nothing official has been announced by Airbus yet.

The link to Philadelphia will be flown by a Boeing 777-300 aircraft, and comes after previous rumours suggested Atlanta, Boston or Detroit would be the next US destination. The route is expected to start in summer 2014.

The route to Clark – an alternative to Manila Airport in the Philippines – is in competition with Emirates who operate a daily service from Dubai.

Their first aircraft, G-TUIA, has recently been spotted test flying at Everett Paine Field prior to its delivery some time in June.

The inaugural Thomson services with the airline will be from Manchester and London Gatwick to Cancun and Orlando, FL.

Boeing’s 777 has been one of the world’s most popular long-haul aircraft since its introduction in 1995. The ‘X’ model is thought to include new engines, folding wingtips and technology used in the recent 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

“We are taking the next step when it comes to engaging customers on the 777X,” spokesman Doug Alder said. The company has “begun to discuss additional technical, pricing and schedule details with customers”, he added.

It is thought the 777X will enter service around 2020.