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Delta Air Lines says it issued a request for proposals from aircraft manufacturers in late December for the “potential replacement” of 100 to 200 domestic narrowbody aircraft, with options for as many as 200 more.

South Korea's Asiana Airlines is yet to reach a decision on the engines for six newly ordered Airbus A380s, but insists the recent problems with Rolls-Royce's Trent 900 will not necessarily disadvantage the manufacturer.

Rolls-Royce and British Airways have finally signed a long-awaited contract for Trent 900 and 1000 engines to power the carrier's forthcoming Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 fleets.

The regions in which growth demand is focused appear to be developing differently from the mature markets. 

Commercial airlines continue to cancel routes and reduce available first-class and business-class seats, leaving executive travelers in the lurch and searching for alternative options, all of which is fueling a rebound in business aviation, says a new report.

Recaro Aircraft Seating plans to increase production capacity at its fast-growing plants in Poland and the USA to meet strong demand for seats.

American Airlines pulled its inventory from Orbitz and its corporate travel solution Orbitz for Business Dec. 21 after a circuit court judge’s ruling cleared the way, giving American at least a temporary victory in the escalating battle over how its inventory is distributed.

Lufthansa and Netjets Europe are close to announcing a major cooperation agreement, industry sources tell Aviation Week.

South American operator LAN Airlines has firmed an order for 50 more Airbus narrowbodies as it continues to bolster its short-haul fleet.

The New Zealand government has approved an alliance between Air New Zealand and Australia’s Virgin Blue, removing the last regulatory hurdle to the carriers’ linkup.

Delta Air Lines pulled its inventory from several relatively small online travel agencies, apparently as part of a partial shift in its distribution strategy.

Boeing plans to raise its production rate for the 777 program to 8.3 airplanes per month, or 100 airplanes a year, starting in the first quarter of 2013, the company announced this morning. In March the company said it would increase production from five to seven airplanes per month starting in mid-2011. 

Russia's rescue plan for six regional carriers - their consolidation into Aeroflot - has still some way to go before being fully realised, and raises many questions.

Globally, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects 2011 to be much tougher for airlines than last year as fuel costs continue to rise and added capacity is beginning to affect load factors and yields.

Southwest Airlines has firmed up its plans to introduce the Boeing 737-800 in its fleet through the substitution of 20 -700 orders for the larger variant, and aims to take delivery of the aircraft in March 2012.

Qantas Airways will not be able to operate any of its Airbus A380s profitably on the Sydney-Los Angeles route if it uses its existing Rolls-Royce Trent 900 powerplants, says the carrier in a statement of claim against the engine manufacturer.

Air New Zealand believes that both Australian and New Zealand regulators could decide by the end of this week if a proposed partnership with Virgin Blue can go ahead.