U.S. low-cost carrier Allegiant Air—building on a niche strategy that consistently produces double-digit operating margins—is eyeing a long-term growth plan that includes more Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, the possible addition of A321s and more Boeing 757s, The Las Vegas-based carrier also expects to launch 30-40 new routes within the next 18 months and begin international service in 2014. Its leadership even mentions transatlantic service as a possibility for the longer term.

Boeing's choice will upset airlines looking for increased competition

The Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (Canso) is coming of age as one of the senior aviation alphabet groups, as forays into new ventures help raise its profile and provide the resources needed to expand its role.

Bombardier stretches the CS300, entering Airbus/Boeing territory

The emergence and strong sales of Frank Robinson's R66 Turbine is causing helicopter manufacturers to think again about the light single-turbine market. For years, Robinson Helicopter Co.'s piston R22 and R44 were considered to be in a league of their own, but the development and certification of the R66—of which nearly 200 were delivered in 2012—has raised eyebrows, as it begins to impinge on markets that were previously strongholds of models produced by Bell Helicopters, MD Helicopters, Enstrom Helicopter Corp. and to some extent Eurocopter.

The main goal of the past few years for Air New Zealand and Qantas has been turning around the losses in their international operations. Now, there are clear signs that their revival plans are succeeding. This is particularly true for Air New Zealand, whose long-haul unit has achieved its first half-year profit in five years. While Qantas is not quite that far along, it is undeniably heading in the right direction, with its international operation shrinking its loss dramatically in its latest earnings report.

The deficit-reduction measure that went into effect March 1 cuts 7.9% from discretionary defense spending and 5.3% from non-defense discretionary spending. Surely, Washington's latest manufactured crisis will not do any serious damage, will it? Well, consider this:

Battery system redesign will require extensive tests