Boeing has started initial sales efforts on the 777X in advance of an expected launch of the next-generation aircraft.

CFM International said it has “completed design freeze” for its LEAP-1B engine that will exclusively power the Boeing 737 MAX.

Air Lease Corp. announced long-term lease agreements with Korean Air for two new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery in November 2014 and May 2015.

Thomson Airways has confirmed it will soon take delivery of its first Boeing 787, which will enter commercial service July 8.

Small jet manufacturers are planning to invest heavily in their platforms and increase the size of current aircraft. Superjet International VP business development John Buckley revealed plans at the ISTAT Americas 2013 conference in Orlando in March to stretch the 100-seat Sukhoi SuperJet to 120-130 seats. “As we move forward, we will be stretching the aircraft to 120-130 seats and begin to have a family of aircraft,” he said.

Embraer has earned a first-quarter net profit of $30 million, down 71.3% from a $104.6 million net income in the year-ago period.

Independent holiday charter Small Planet Airlines is replacing its leased older Boeing 737-300s with leased newer Airbus A320 aircraft.

Airbus Americas has named David Paul Hills as director, research and technology (R&T)-Airbus Americas, effective May 1.