The first CFM Leap-1 engine begins flights tests; Airbus and Boeing versions will be following soon

Production readiness for Leap engines initiates at GE and Snecma facilities around the world

Brazil’s capacity to grow sugar cane as an energy crop is helping to bolster airlines’ interest in sugar-to-jet biofuel

Of the big three U.S. carriers—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines—American’s route network in Asia-Pacific is by far the weakest, but recent moves by the Dallas-based carrier suggest the fastest-growing air travel region in the world is again in American’s sights.

The problem is that Boeing corporate management is taking a one-size-fits-all approach to labor relations.

Russia’s banking system is finding access to capital markets harder because of sanctions imposed as a result of the Ukraine conflict. But the government nonetheless has told two state-owned banks to support the country’s most critical civil aircraft program, the Superjet 100.

Bombardier’s CSeries test fleet is rebuilding momentum and will soon be joined by the first aircraft to be configured with a full interior, marking two welcome developments for the hard-pressed Canadian manufacturer and its engine supplier, Pratt & Whitney.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is performing system checks on the first MRJ in preparation for a first flight due in the second quarter of 2015. Nearby in the same Nagoya factory building, MHI technicians have progressed far into final assembly of the second aircraft and started working on the third.