Airbus, the largest single customer for Tier One aerostructures company GKN, has said it would be “practically impossible” for it to give new work to the UK company if the latter’s ownership model was to change.

Air Canada’s recently announced plans to increase frequencies on several North American leisure routes next winter includes swapping rouge-branded Boeing 767-300s to mainline flying with 737-8s.

Making a business case for Boeing’s potential new mid-market aircraft (NMA) remains the manufacturer’s biggest challenge, Boeing’s chief salesman said, even as more airlines are pushing for the aircraft sooner rather than later.

At the 2018 two-month mark, Airbus leads rival Boeing in new commercial aircraft orders with 60 firm bookings, valued at approximately $13.3 billion at list prices, compared to Boeing’s 47 new orders, valued at $10.1 billion.

GE Aviation’s GE9X turbofan engine, which will power Boeing’s new 777X aircraft, completed its first flight test under the wing of GE Aviation’s 747 flying testbed in Victorville, California.