Delta to sell 38 Boeing

Delta Air Lines Inc said on Thursday it will sell 38 Boeing Co airplanes after delivery as part of its bankruptcy, but that it will order 10 more planes and convert an existing order of five planes to longer-range aircraft to match its restructuring plans.
Delta, which has been operating under bankruptcy protection since September 2005, said it has agreed to sell 15 Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Aviation Capital Group, the airplane leasing company unit of Pacific LifeCorp, and 23 planes to Babcock & Brown Aviation Finance Ltd Delta said that it would order 10 Boeing 737-70 aircraft and convert five firm orders for 777-200ERs to longer-range 777-200LRs.
The company said the moves will enable it to expand internationally and fly new routes. The transactions are subject to bankruptcy court approval. The company reiterated that it plans to emerge from bankruptcy in the first half of 2007 as an independent carrier. US Airways is trying to buy the company.