Mitsubishi Aircraft plans to bring outside training and maintenance specialists into its MRJ program as part of an effort to assure prospective customers that it can fully support the regional jet in service. Adhering to the time line is the biggest challenge for the Japanese manufacturer, which says there is no particular aspect of the aircraft’s development and integration that it regards as unusually difficult, even though the MRJ is its first attempt at building a commercial jet.

China Eastern’s entry into the SkyTeam alliance will bring closer cooperation between two of the biggest airlines in China, lifting the chances of industry consolidation there while eliminating Oneworld’s hope of embracing a top-three mainland carrier.

Thrust from a Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engine of a Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300 froze during approach to Hong Kong Airport on April 13, resulting in a landing at far beyond the normal speed and deflating main-gear tires. Throughout the approach, the right engine was idling and the other frozen at 70% of maximum output, delivering too much thrust for a normal landing, Cathay says. The carrier does not say why the right engine was idling, although it seems possible that the crew throttled it back as the only way to reduce thrust.