In September 1996, Embraer announced the arrival of its regional jet family in North America when Continental Express ordered 200 ERJ 145s. Even though only 25 of the commitments were firm, the message was clear: Embraer's 50-seat market entry was going to be a major player in the world's biggest aviation market. Recently, a few ERJ 145s were involved in a very different kind of transaction that delivered an equally emphatic, but different message.

An American Airlines-US Airways merger offers the combined carrier clear opportunities to leverage existing assets as part of a long-term MRO strategy that mixes in-house and outsourced work. Just how much work will stay in the new American's hangars is anyone's guess, however, particularly considering the apparent clash of philosophies.

Airlines, MROs and OEMs adjust to big shift in business dynamic

Third party work is driving Kalitta Air MRO expansion

Facing heavy criticism, the FAA has rescinded an order to close 149 federal contract air traffic control towers that was to begin last week. Among those on the list was Renton Municipal Airport, south of Seattle, where Boeing ships out 737s. Paine Field, next to Boeing's Everett factory north of the city, is on a list of possible closures in September. Boeing points out that tower closures do not mean airport operations must cease.

General Electric's new Boeing 747-400 flying testbed has been delivered to Evergreen Aviation Technologies (EGAT) in Taiwan for installation of data racks and instrumentation wiring and equipment. The aircraft is also scheduled to undergo wing structural modifications during the second half of the year in preparation for its first test flights in 2014. The aircraft was flown to EGAT from Taikoo Aircraft Engineering in Xiamen, China, where heavy maintenance and interior modifications were performed.

BAE Systems is conducting wind-tunnel trials on a Eurofighter Typhoon model fitted with the Boeing AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. The trials, being conducted in the U.K. are intended to help de-risk the clearance process for the weapon to be integrated onto the Typhoon. Malaysia is one of the countries interested in an anti-shipping capability for its future multirole combat aircraft program to replace aging MiG-29s, for which the Typhoon is a candidate.