ST Aerospace, in the face of intense price competition from rivals, is trying to differentiate itself and command a better price by bundling services and products.

The boss of AVIAGE, GE and AVIC’s global joint-venture in the avionics market, recognizes that much work needs to be done to earn the confidence and trust of aircraft-makers and other original equipment makers outside (OEMs) of China.

Russian manufacturer of aircraft powerplants United Engine Corporation (UEC) is preparing for the first flight test of its new commercial product – the PD-14 engine. This 14-ton-thrust turbofan, designed to power Russia's new MS-21 narrowbody airliner, is expected to take off on the flying laboratory in March 2015. The Ilyushin Il-76 testbed will be ready in December this year.

China’s commercial aviation market is growing so fast that the head of Boeing China predicts that deliveries in the next ten years will be about the equivalent of what it has delivered to China in the past 40 years.

China’s commercial aviation market grew last year by 12.6% to 566 billion revenue passenger kilometers, making China the second-largest commercial aviation market in the world. And it is set to average 7.6% growth over the next 20 years.

Guiyang-based China Express, one of the country’s few privately-owned domestic regional carriers, has placed an order for 16 additional Bombardier CRJ900s, making it the largest Bombardier operator in China.

Boeing has steadfastly resisted the idea that it should assemble aircraft in China, arguing there are other ways to invest significantly in the country.

“Every single airline in China operates aircraft with CFM engines,” says CFM International's CEO.