Russia and China signed an agreement during Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to China June 25 to establish a joint venture (JV) to design and develop new widebody aircraft.

Whichever way you look at it, 2016 is a daunting year for Airbus. In the narrowbody sector—Airbus’ bread-and-butter market—the A320neo entered service stutteringly. In the widebody sector, the manufacturer is pushing through A330neo development while also targeting delivery of 50 A350-900 aircraft by year end.

In the world of large new commercial airliner development, three-and-a-half years is no time at all. That’s why, with the Boeing 777X targeted at entry-into-service at the turn of the decade, initial engine tests have begun and the first structural components are already in development.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has launched an investigation into the June 27 Singapore Airlines (SIA) Boeing 777 fire at Singapore Changi Airport. CAAS’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau will lead the probe “and will get to the bottom of the matter,” Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement.