At least one Scud D missile jointly developed by North Korea, Iran and Syria failed in a test shot in Syria in the second half of May, Japan’s Kyodo news wire reports, citing diplomatic and military sources. The guidance system malfunctioned in a Scud D that several sources agree was fired from southwestern Syria to the northeast.

Air China will reinforce its links with Cathay Pacific in a transaction that will largely consolidate Chinese government stakes in the Hong Kong airline. “The changes will strengthen the existing relationship between Air China and Cathay Pacific and serve to further boost the position of Beijing and Hong Kong as key aviation hubs in the region,” said the parties to the transaction in a joint statement. Investment analysts doubt, however, that the deal will affect Cathay Pacific’s management.

Philippine startup Spirit of Manila Airlines will cater to the country’s millions of overseas guest workers with planned services to the Middle East and nearby East Asian destinations. With one McDonnell Douglas MD-83 now available, the carrier says it will “soon” begin flights from Clark Airport in central Luzon. It expects to introduce one more MD-83, a Boeing 747-300 and a 747-400 in September and November, ready for full-scale operations to begin in December.