China has toughened aviation security measures by banning lighters and matches from domestic flights. Liquids were banned last month after media reported an attempt to start a gasoline fire on an aircraft. The new rule took effect on Monday.

Pilots at three Chinese airlines have taken the risky step of disguised labor action in a battle with their employers for better contracts, just as political violence is making the authorities extremely sensitive about social unrest. Pilots of 18 flights of China Eastern’s Yunnan provincial subsidiary turned back last week after taking off, returning to their departure airports on doubtful claims of bad weather.

Mitsubishi and Pratt & Whitney plan to deliver the first MRJ airliner and its GTF engines in 2013 after a project launch that marks a renewed Japanese attempt at commercial aircraft making and the arrival of a revolutionary powerplant. A new Nagoya-headquartered subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), tentatively called Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp., will build the aircraft, whose structure will boast extensive use of composites. The company is slated to have eventual capital of ¥100 billion ($1 billion) and, at first, 200 employees.