Airbus and Boeing face a common problem, with so much interest in their new narrowbodies, the A320NEO and 737 MAX—how to fill production gaps as existing products are replaced.

For EgyptAir, it will be crucial that the country's June presidential elections bring greater political stability if the airline is to have any hope of seeing passenger traffic returning to normal. The Star Alliance carrier has been through a tumultuous 14 months following the civil unrest and violence that toppled the nearly 30-year regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Then in August, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was toppled from power.

The race is on to become one of the six U.S. sites responsible for testing UAVs in civilian airspace. The contest represents a huge opportunity at the dawn of a new industry, and a call last week from the FAA attracted interest from businesses large and small, universities, airports, lawmakers and the U.S. Army. The FAA says it will choose the test sites by December and is currently looking for comments that will help it winnow the many contenders.

That the face of Europe's network carriers is changing has been clear for some time, but even those in the drivers' seats are wondering just how deep those changes will go.

Three years ago, Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance was leasing an engine for a large narrowbody jet for $120,000 a month. Today, a similar powerplant commands a rate of just $50,000. Underpinning the 58% price cut is a simple equation: supply and demand.

Taiwan is hoping improved relations with China, an upgrade to Taipei's international airport and a new aerospace park will help it establish itself as an Asia-Pacific hub. Better relations with China have led to the opening of flights across the Taiwan Strait, a boon for Taiwanese carriers that are now being welcomed into global airline alliances. Late last month, EVA Air signed an agreement that paves the way for it to formally join the Star Alliance in 2013.

The ambition of Chinese industry is drawing attention beyond anything in Russia, Japan or India.

The CSeries family of medium-range airliners may end up meeting the same fate as the short-lived Boeing 717. So says Bryan Bedford, the CEO and chairman of Republic Airways Holdings, the CSeries' largest customer. Bedford's remarks seem rather curious, particularly since one would expect him to be touting the aircraft. Republic placed a firm order in February 2010 for 40 CS300s for delivery starting in 2015. The U.S. group said the aircraft would be assigned to its carrier Frontier Airlines.