When Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab announced last December that Air India had been accepted as a future member of the group, some in the country thought this could signal the turning point that the beleaguered airline had been waiting for. However, the U.S. downgrade of India's aviation safety rating in January underscored just how bumpy the road to normalcy remains.

Budget for FAA reflects the focus on near-term NextGen benefits

Qantas's urgent need to slash costs to mitigate spiraling losses has sparked one of the largest shakeups in the airline's history. While Qantas is hoping it can cut its way back to profitability, potential political and structural changes could play key roles in assisting the carrier's turnarounds.

After being stuck in the pipeline for years, India's ambitious initiative to design and develop a regional transport aircraft program is showing some signs of life.

Bell Helicopter has secured its first orders for its Model 525 super-medium helicopter and for its newly designated light single, the 505 JetRanger X.

Landmark Aviation has moved into a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) in Winston-Salem, N.C., a relocation that will enable it to expand its activities there and better coordinate its MRO activities with the fixed-base operation.

Airbus Helicopters is hoping to put the troubled past of the EC225 behind it with the launch of an improved version of the aircraft. The EC225e – e for enhanced – will make its first flight in 2015 and features a new updated avionics suite, increased maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) by 550 kg. (1,210 lb.) and an extended range fuel tank fitted into the rear baggage compartment under the tail boom, which gives the aircraft the ability to fly out to 300 nm.

While Democratic leaders have been quiet about business aircraft depreciation during the most recent budget talks, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 26 proposed “eliminating special depreciation benefits related to corporate jets” as part of a larger tax overhaul package.