The pilot shortage, air traffic congestion and passenger growth are creating bottlenecks in China, Airbus president Eric Chen told reporters in Beijing.

The Boeing 787-9, 20-feet longer than the baseline 787-8, flew for the first time Tuesday to launch the flight test program of the second Dreamliner variant.

[UPDATED] Boeing’s first 787-9 took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., for its first test flight at 11 a.m. local time Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Following first flight of the CSeries airliner, Bombardier will review its test plans to see if it can still achieve certification and entry into service (EIS) in 12 months as scheduled.

The Airbus A320 family Final Assembly Line in Tianjin, China (FALC) has delivered its 143th aircraft since its first delivery in June 2009 to Sichuan Airlines.

The CEO of Lufthansa’s Germanwings affiliate has said he is keen to return the airline back to an all-Airbus fleet.

As Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines—one of the largest remaining Fokker 70/100 operators worldwide—works on replacement solutions for the aging aircraft, German media outlets are reporting the Lufthansa board is nearing a decision on a long-haul aircraft order. The announcement, which will reportedly be for a mix of 50 Boeing 777Xs and Airbus A350s, is expected Thursday.

Aircraft News