Wind tunnel and structures tests mark next steps for NASA's advanced airliners plan.

BEIJING—The Chinese call it “daxing tumu,” being keen on large-scale construction. It seems that wherever one looks in this country someone is building a mighty new bridge, office tower, airport, freeway or aircraft hangar, more physical capital for the roaring economy.

BEIJING—In early 2008, Avic I, as it was then, announced it was setting up an airline that would buy its regional airliners, a move that had many industry watchers perplexed. To any trenchant doubter of China's future in civil aeronautics, it must have seemed that the product, the 50-60-seat MA60 turboprop, was so uncompetitive that Avic I could only sell it to itself.

AirAsia plays a big role as Malaysia makes a pitch for a larger share of the MRO work in Asia.

What are your priorities for 2012? Wisbrun: We want to get Skyteam to the next level of execution. In 2008 it was decided that a central function should be introduced. I took over six months ago, and my key target is now to drive the membership into more collaboration to get more synergies out of it. The focus is more on getting things done than growing the network. We want to be more focused on customer benefits.

Lufthansa prepares to become the first carrier to operate both the Airbus A380 and Boeing's 747 in 2012.

For years, the supply chain was looked upon as a necessary evil. Manufacturing, warehousing and transportation were part of the cost of doing business, not what drove a company forward. That is no longer the case. Every organization in every industry, including the aviation aftermarket, is challenged to do whatever it is they do better, faster and cheaper. Supply chains are no longer just overhead—the best companies view them as a competitive advantage.

The quest for seamless service reaches into the cabin as carriers look at regional jet upgrades.