Ambitious efforts to boost Tokyo airports’ capacity will be spur for long-term airline expansion.

Airbus reported firm orders* for 14 commercial aircraft in November, valued at $1.6 billion at list prices, from two airlines and one undisclosed customer.

Seoul-based Korean Air expects to take delivery of seven Bombardier CSeries 300s next year, becoming the first operator of the type in Asia, Bombardier VP-CSeries aircraft program Robert Dewar told ATW at last week’s airBaltic CS300 unveiling.

RwandAir continues to add aircraft and expand long-haul routes even though it faces challenges in Africa’s economic climate and in the aviation industry.

Bombardier said it will increase the formal specifications for the CSeries CS300, as the aircraft’s per seat and trip costs have already proven 2% better than its original brochure values.

Counter-rotating open-rotor interest falters as replacement aircraft for single-aisle aircraft has been postponed.

Russia’s United Engine Corp. (UEC) has started the second stage of PD-14 engine testing for the Irkut MC-21 aircraft.

Bombardier is now expecting to certify the CSeries 100 for London City Airport’s steep approach 60 days later than its most recently revised turn-of-the-year estimate.