Boeing announced yesterday that it has completed the firm configuration of the 787-9, which it aims to begin delivering in late 2013. "The airplane…

Boeing restarted 787 flight testing Sunday and Monday following a three-day suspension to inspect the Alenia Aeronautica-produced horizontal stabilizers on its five flight test aircraft.

Air China said Friday it has reached agreement with Boeing on an order for 20 737-800s to be delivered 2013-15. The Beijing-based carrier revealed the order in a statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. It said the order is worth about $1.4 billion at list prices, but noted that it received "a significant price concession" from the manufacturer. CA said the order would increase its capacity by 5%.

Boeing temporarily suspended 787 flight tests Thursday, saying it needed to inspect the Alenia Aeronautica-produced horizontal stabilizers on its five flight test aircraft and all Dreamliners in production owing to a "workmanship issue" that was "recently identified." It insisted that first delivery to ANA in the fourth quarter "remains on track" even as it revealed Friday that some subsequent deliveries would be pushed back slightly for reasons it said were not related to the inspections.

Airbus said A320 family aircraft recently passed the 50-million-flight milestone and have carried 5 billion passengers since entering commercial service in 1988. "One of our A320 family aircraft takes off every six seconds somewhere around the world," COO-Customers John Leahy noted, adding that the manufacturer is "investing at least €100 million [$122.7 million] a year in the A320 family" to improve its efficiency and extend the program's life "for decades to come."

Southwest Airlines Executive VP and COO Mike Van de Ven yesterday called on aircraft manufacturers to develop a new narrowbody aircraft, saying that today's 737NG and A320s are unable to deliver the "step change" in efficiency that the airline industry needs.