Opposition from some quarters to potential moves by US airlines in response to the recent Delta Air Lines/Northwest Airlines merger announcement is fierce, with Virgin Atlantic Airways vowing to fight a British Airways/American Airlines/Continental Airlines transatlantic alliance and United Airlines' pilots expressing strong disapproval of management's reported merger negotiations with US Airways.

Boeing began final assembly on the fifth 787, which is the third flight-test aircraft. It said the first aircraft scheduled to fly "is on track for 'power on' in June." It also said that the first 777 freighter was towed from its Everett factory onto the flight line late Tuesday. Flight testing will begin this summer.

MANUFACTURERS OF REGIONAL aircraft experienced another good year in 2007 as orders for turboprops and large regional jets more than offset the absence of sales for 50-seat RJs. The transition to 70/90-seat jets meant plenty of business for Bombardier and Embraer, while soaring fuel costs helped push sales of ATR 42/72 and Q400 turboprops to record levels. Poised to enter the regional market within the next 12-24 months are new offerings from Russia and China, while Mitsubishi plans to have its 70/90-seat Mitsubishi Regional Jet in service in 2013.

AS HE LOOKED AT THE LAST remaining Yun-10 resting in the corner of a Shanghai aircraft manufacturing factory last year, Cheng Bushi, deputy chief designer of China's first domestically designed and manufactured large civil jet transport, recalled that he didn't expect he would have to wait more than two decades for Beijing to respond affirmatively to his pleas to build a successor.

Pratt & Whitney last month announced the launch of the second phase of ground testing for its Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine. Tests analyzing engine performance, acoustic characteristics and the nacelle system took place at Pratt's facility in West Palm Beach.