Qantas has ordered 68 Airbus A320s and A321s and 31 Boeing 737-800s, signaling that its future growth will rely heavily on budget unit Jetstar and its Asian franchisees. The airline group, Australia's largest, has secured early delivery positions, despite the extremely tight market. The first aircraft from the two orders, an A321, will be delivered in February, with the others arriving in the following six years. Options and purchase rights on 40 A320s and A321s and 49 737-800s cover delivery slots as far out as 2017.

China's space programs are being swept up in the country's ongoing economic modernization, with the national space administration saying it will call for outside tenders for participation in its second lunar exploration mission. Bidders "could include scientific research organs, universities and also private companies," says a spokesman. He stresses the opportunities for private firms: "For sure, private companies should be qualified, especially in technological and managerial capabilities, in order to participate in the space technology development."

Singapore’s Tiger Airways will establish a franchisee airline with the South Korean city of Incheon, racing against rivals to set up in untapped markets and exploit the huge potential of no-frills aviation in Asia. The latest expansion move by the budget carrier, 49% owned by Singapore Airlines, will create perhaps the most widely spread narrow-body operation in the world.