The Engine Alliance (EA), a General Electric-Pratt & Whitney joint venture, plans later this year to define a new set of performance upgrade packages to the Airbus A380’s GP7200 engine as Airbus continues to evaluate future propulsion options ranging from incremental improvements to re-engining.

Airbus plans to make the decision about whether or not it will launch a re-engined version of the Airbus A380 in 2015, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Customers John Leahy told Aviation Week at the Farnborough Air Show.

Low-cost carrier AirAsia X signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday for 50 Airbus A330-900neos, becoming the launch airline customer for the re-engined widebody that was launched Monday at the Farnborough Airshow.

Rolls-Royce has detailed its timelines for the Trent 7000, the sole powerplant for the newly launched Airbus A330neo.

Boeing has decided to develop the 777X, its next-generation 777 derivative, with the same lower cabin altitude as the 787, despite the continuing use of a conventional aluminum fuselage structure.

Airbus’s top commercial executive said the manufacturer needs to be cautious in managing its order book in the Asia-Pacific, but he sees no signs of a crisis in this critical aircraft market.

Bombardier is about to launch a combi version of the Q400 turboprop.

Japanese lessor SMBC Aviation Capital and Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation placed orders Tuesday at the Farnborough Airshow for a total of 158 Airbus A320 family aircraft.