A flight crew’s faulty data entry resulted in an Emirates A340-500 overrunning on takeoff by almost 300 meters at Melbourne on March 20, preliminary results from an Australian investigation show. Investigators will follow up with examinations of human performance and risk controls in relation to data entry, the effectiveness of computer system interfaces, and the management of risks in reduced-power takeoffs. The latter, a standard procedure intended to reduce costs, was used during the takeoff.

AirAsia is maintaining its interest in setting up affiliates in Vietnam and the Philippines, despite the limited success that it and its fellow Asia/Pacific budget carriers have had so far in franchising their brands internationally. CEO Tony Fernandes says he wants AirAsia-branded airlines in the two countries but is still looking for the right partners. He has previously identified Southeast Asia (Asean) as the territory that he wants AirAsia to cover.

Korean Air is close to taking over Korea Aerospace Industries, consolidating the country’s aircraft-building sector into a single company. The airline, which has its own aerospace division, has long expressed an interest in buying its rival, and almost stitched up a deal to do so in 2003. Since major shareholders of Korea Aerospace are now willing to sell, a takeover looks likely — but not inevitable. Management, labor and political opposition could yet get in the way.