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Easyjet Budget Flights is to introduce its first factory new Airbus A320 models into its fleet having converted orders for 25 A319s to the larger variant. The aircraft, likely to be powered by CFM International’s CFM56 engines will help it to develop a standard configuration throughout its Airbus short haul fleet.

Some will replace the nine A320s and six A321s acquired following easyjets takeover of GB Airways last year, which are expected to be returned to the lessor. The GB Airways models are fitted with the International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500 powerplant and have a different internal configuration to the rest of the fleet. According to Airbus, easyjets order backlog now consists of 84 A319s and 25 A320s.

Russian operator Transaero has been ranked as the country’s largest international carrier in terms of passenger traffic for the first time, beating long time rival Aeroflot Russian Airlines to the prestigious position. According to official figures from the Transport Clearing House, Transaero carried 522,568 passengers in June 2008 (up 75% on the same month last year), Aeroflot was just behing with 517,949 and S7 Airlines a long way back handling just 174,447 passengers.

Uzbekistan Airways has begun formal discussions to become an associate member of SkyTeam. The CIS flag carrier is being sponsored by Korean Air, one of the founders of the global airline grouping and is set to join in spring 2009 once it has modified its sytems and operations to meet the strict entry requirements.