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Lightweight engine structures are gaining increased attention in the constant search for game-changing efficiency and better fuel burn.

The cutthroat competition in the Australian long-haul market is just as prevalent in the regulatory arena, as several airlines are proving with their vociferous opposition to a partnership proposed by Qantas and Emirates. While it would be a major surprise if permission were not granted by Australian regulators, the heated debate underlines how high the stakes are—not only for Qantas and Emirates, but for all of the international carriers serving this region.

Europe's aerospace and defense industry missed a unique opportunity to complete a wide-ranging consolidation process that began nearly 50 years ago. Combining EADS and BAE Systems would have created a world-class giant with an impressive €72.9 billion ($94.3 billion) in revenues, 216,000 employees and a comprehensive product range. Moreover, the initiative looked like a perfect fit.

Iceland is making progress on an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) network that will be a vital link in an ambitious plan to provide air traffic control coverage all the way across the Atlantic.

The basic design phase for CFM International's all-new Leap engines is almost over. But soon the next challenge looms: turning the new design into a production reality. As the first test components take shape, CFM is seeking to complete most of the learning curve ahead of production ramp-up.

In 2001, the German telecommunications behemoth Deutsche Telekom purchased U.S.-based VoiceStream Communications and rebranded the domestic wireless provider as T-Mobile. Chrysler has had two foreign majority owners in the last 15 years: Germany's Daimler-Benz and now Italy's Fiat. Moreover, Venezuela's state-owned petroleum company has been the parent of U.S. oil company Citgo for more than two decades.

An order for 50 737s, its largest ever from Alaska Airlines, moves Boeing closer to surpassing the 1,000 mark this year for the new-engine MAX series and underscores the emphasis major carriers are placing on larger, more fuel-efficient single-aisle transports.