Boeing said the fifth 747-8 Freighter participating in the flight test program made its air debut on Feb. 3, from Paine Field in Everett. The flight lasted 3 hr. and 30 min. "The airplane performed well," said Andy Hammer, test program manager for 747-8. The aircraft, coded RC523, will focus on functionality and reliability testing, Boeing said.

BAE Systems announced its Regional Aircraft segment is “refocusing its customer support operation” and will also expand its offering into different aircraft types this year. “In addressing our customer needs and the continuing consolidation in the repair and overhaul market, Regional Aircraft has now developed, and is offering to the market new Total Support solutions to meet the needs of our large European fleet operators,” BAE Systems Regional Aircraft Business-Director Sean McGovern said.

Boeing on Wednesday rolled out its 1,000th 767—a -300ER passenger model for All Nippon Airways. It is the final 767 to complete assembly on the current production line; henceforth, 767s will be assembled in a new, smaller bay geared toward leaner, more efficient operations. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said, "As we salute the 1,000th 767, the next 767 is already being built in a new bay where we can produce airplanes much more efficiently for years to come."

Airbus said Wednesday it will raise the Airbus A330 production rate to 10 per month in the second quarter of 2013, up from 7.5-8 produced monthly currently. The rate will be first increased to nine per month in early 2012.