Regional airlines are undergoing a period of change in everything from ownership and partner relationships to route systems and aircraft fleets.

The RB211 program bankrupted Rolls-Royce, forcing the U.K. government to step in and save the project and the company. Both recovered—Rolls-Royce is still delivering and developing engines, and the RB211 will go down as one of the most versatile and successful engine series of the jet age.

The tempo of new turboprop airliner and engine development is, by its very nature, slower than that of the turbofan-powered jetliner. Although confined to a niche market, turboprops have set such a high benchmark for efficiency since the 1990s that they have made themselves irreplaceable. Added to this, the overall lower volume of production and turnover in regional turboprops have made it tough to close the business case for expensive step-change replacements.

Safran unit mulls large turboprop engine with output that may reach 5,000 shp.

China's aero-engine development effort keeps looking bigger. It turns out that four indigenous high-bypass turbofans are being developed, not two, as previously thought. A major turboshaft, exhibited two years ago, is now revealed as a candidate engine for a new tactical airlifter, the Y-19. And an engine is in the works for a medium-large transport helicopter in the class of the AgustaWestland AW101.

Honeywell Aerospace expects to grow rapidly in India using a strategy of “manufacturing in India, for India,” to support the country's drive for organic manufacturing. Pritam Bhavnani, president of Honeywell Aerospace India, discussed the company's plans with Aviation Week's Jay Menon. AW&ST: What new initiatives will Honeywell pursue in India?

Innovation and automation form focus as delivery plans ramp up

The price of EU carbon dioxide allowances (EUAs) under the EU Emissions Trading System hit an all-time low April 17 after the EU Parliament defeated a proposal that would have led to regulatory intervention to curb a supply glut.