777-300ER order could grow to 13 jets

Virgin Blue Holdings, Ltd., today confirmed that the Brisbane- based company has ordered six Boeing 777-300ER jetliners, with options for six more, and will lease one additional 777-300ER. The new airplanes will allow Virgin Blue to establish its new long-haul airline, providing service from Australia to the United States and other destinations. The six-airplane order is valued at $1.5 billion at list prices. Virgin Blue currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 53 Next-Generation 737s. In addition, Boeing said that Virgin Blue had exercised options for five 737-800s that were attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries Web site in late 2006. These airplanes are valued at $350 million.

Lumera to continue government work

Lumera Corp. of Bothell has received an extension of a U.S. government contract to develop advanced wideband optical modulators. The year-long contract is valued at more than $1.1 million; the overall contract value has reached $6.9 million. Lumera is developing better modulators for fiber-optic systems that are expected to deliver increased bandwidth.

Fishermen’s tribute group meets today

A group hoping to create a waterfront tribute to Everett’s commercial fishing fleet will meet at 2 p.m. today at the Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave. The group will review information about writing a book on the fleet and will hear a report on a visit to the Fishermen’s Memorial in San Pedro, Calif.

Strong sales lift Oracle profits

Oracle Corp.’s fiscal third-quarter profit climbed 35 percent, lifted by strong software sales. The software maker said Tuesday that it earned $1.03 billion for the three months ended in February. That compared with net income of $765 million at the same time last year.

Home building rises in February

New home construction rebounded in February following a steep January slide. But analysts pointed to a further decline in building permits as a worrisome signal of future problems for the troubled housing industry. Construction of new homes and apartments rose 9 percent in February, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

Fed meeting to consider rates

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues are expected to strike a reassuring tone about the country’s economic health today despite persistent worries that problems with risky mortgages could spread.

Officials pursue patent complaint

Microsoft says French telecom Alcatel-Lucent infringed on its patents for unified communications products, and the U.S. International Trade Commission on Tuesday voted to begin a probe. The company is asking the ITC to bar Alcatel-Lucent from importing products that it says infringes on three patented technologies.

From Herald staff and news services

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

The livery on a Boeing plane. (Christopher Pike / Bloomberg)
Former Lockheed Martin CFO joins Boeing as top financial officer

Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer is being replaced by a former CFO at… Continue reading

Izaac Escalante-Alvarez unpacks a new milling machine at the new Boeing machinists union’s apprentice training center on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists union training center opens in Everett

The new center aims to give workers an inside track at Boeing jobs.

Some SnoCo stores see shortages after cyberattack on grocery supplier

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and US Foods CHEF’STORE, informed customers that some items may be temporarily unavailable.

People take photos and videos as the first Frontier Arlines flight arrives at Paine Field Airport under a water cannon salute on Monday, June 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Water cannons salute Frontier on its first day at Paine Field

Frontier Airlines joins Alaska Airlines in offering service Snohomish County passengers.

Amit B. Singh, president of Edmonds Community College. 201008
Edmonds College and schools continue diversity programs

Educational diversity programs are alive and well in Snohomish County.

A standard jet fuel, left, burns with extensive smoke output while a 50 percent SAF drop-in jet fuel, right, puts off less smoke during a demonstration of the difference in fuel emissions on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sustainable aviation fuel center gets funding boost

A planned research and development center focused on sustainable aviation… Continue reading

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.