The first Boeing next-generation 737 to be built at the increased rate of 42 airplanes per month rolled out of the manufacturer’s Renton, Wash., factory Wednesday. The 737-800 will be delivered to Air Berlin and ultimately leased to Transavia France.

The hunt for Malaysia Airlines missing flight MH370 intensified in the southern Indian Ocean Thursday after Australian satellite images showed debris southwest of Perth that may “possibly be related to the search,” Malaysia’s top transportation minister confirmed.

Airbus is looking closely at creating an 11-abreast configuration in the A380.

Airbus has determined that an open-rotor-powered A320-class airliner is technically feasible. The next steps are to prove the concept is economically viable, then to demonstrate the propulsion system in flight, which is planned under Europe’s Clean Sky 2 public-private research program.

South African carrier Comair has placed a firm order for eight Boeing 737 MAX 8s, valued at $830 million at list prices. The order, which was placed in December 2013 and logged to an unidentified customer, marks the first MAXs to be ordered by an African airline. Johannesburg-based Comair said the aircraft will be used for fleet renewal and expansion. Today it operates a fleet of 25 737s on flights for budget brand kulula and its British Airways franchise.