Qantas Airways will cut 90 management positions, adding to a work force cut of 1,500 jobs announced last year. “It is clear that the aviation sector faces considerable commercial challenges for the foreseeable future,” says CEO Alan Joyce. “These changes will mean fewer overheads and reduce the number of layers between those leading the business and those working with our customers, our aircraft and business partners.” Qantas will reassign roles for the remaining managers and also maintain a salary freeze.

Singapore Airlines says it may defer Airbus A380 deliveries, although no such decision has been made. “We do not rule out the possibility of deferring future deliveries as we consider the options for our fleet,” says a representative. “If the need to defer aircraft delivery arises, we will work together with Airbus on this. No decision has been taken at this time.” The airline has six A380s and 13 on order, of which four are due to arrive this year.

BEIJING Chinese officials are dropping more hints that they are about to announce an aircraft carrier program. Defense Minister Liang Guanglie tells his Japanese counterpart, Yasukazu Hamada, that “China cannot be without an aircraft carrier forever. China’s navy is now rather weak.” Earlier this month, Adm. Hu Yanlin told the China Daily that “China has the capability to build aircraft carriers and should do so.” They are “very necessary,” he said.