The big-three Chinese airlines are comfortably outperforming the local stock market, even as operating profits remain weak. Shares in the largest — China Southern — have risen 95% from their low in the past 52 weeks, while China Eastern is 108% above its 52-week low. The price of Air China, widely regarded as the best managed of the three, has tripled since hitting a cyclical low in November. By comparison, the Shanghai Composite index has gained 71% since its 2008 low.

A government task force of corporate turnaround experts will help Japan Airlines draw up a restructuring plan no later than early November. The carrier and its creditors expect it to run out of cash at the end of the year, said Transport Minister Seiji Maehara. The airline’s financial condition is not yet critical, but it must reform itself while it is still in a condition to do so, said the minister.

Avic General Aircraft hopes to begin production next year of two business aircraft, one a jet and one piston-engine. Separately, the Chinese company has launched a four-engine amphibious aircraft, an extensive update of the SH-5 flying boat developed and built in small quantities from the 1960s to 1980s.