Pratt & Whitney executives are defending the PW1100G, insisting the engine startup restrictions and associated software problems that bedeviled the Airbus A320neo’s entry into service (EIS) are now fixed.

FAA has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) with Liteye Systems to evaluate technology developed by a trio of UK companies to identify and disable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or “drones” operating near airports.

Dubai-based Emirates Airline president Tim Clark told ATW he is impressed with the latest twin-aisle technology in the Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 and these are the aircraft types he is looking for as the competitive landscape changes.

Hainan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, becoming China’s first operator of both the 787-8 and -9 variants of the Dreamliner family.

Airbus orders accelerated in May after a slow start to the year, with 83 orders over the course of the month, more than doubling its total for the year so far.

Taipei-based China Airlines, which was scheduled to take delivery of its first Airbus A350 XWB in July, has been informed by the European manufacturer its first aircraft will now arrive at the end of September.

The first flight for Russia’s MC-21-300, which was rolled out June 8, is planned for December 2016-February 2017, it was announced at the roll-out ceremony.

Paris Orly-based long-haul, low-cost startup French Blue has taken delivery of its first aircraft, a new Airbus A330-300, and is aiming to launch operations on Sept. 10.