The South Korean defense ministry is seeking a 29.6 trillion won ($25 billion) budget for 2010, cutting its original request because of the country’s economic problems. Nonetheless, the budget proposal that the ministry will submit Oct. 1 is still 3.8 percent greater than this year’s allocation. In June the ministry asked for a 7.9 percent increase, similar to the hike it had received this year. Still, parliament could refuse to grant even the reduced request.

Air China and All Nippon Airways will put their flight codes on each other’s flights between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Beijing Capital Airport, effective Oct. 25. All Nippon will fly one of the daily services and Air China two. Haneda, which formerly handled only domestic flights, is introducing services to nearby Asian regional cities.

China Southern will sell its 50% share of engine overhaul shop MTU Maintenance Zhuhai to its state parent, shoring up its balance sheet with the proceeds, 1.61 billion yuan (US$236 million). The move mirrors that of nearby Hong Kong rival Cathay Pacific, which this month said it would sell part of its stake in its maintenance business Haeco to its parent for the same reason.