Technologies that allow complex contoured parts to be produced simply and cost-effectively are enabling metallic structures to hold their ground against composites as manufacturers strive to cut cost and weight out of their aircraft. Working with Airbus, France's Dufieux Industrie has developed the milling mirror system to replace hazardous chemical milling of curved aluminum fuselage panels to reduce their weight. One machining center has a high-speed milling head, working in synchronization with its twin with a support head.

EU carbon dioxide allowances (EUAs) briefly set a new low in December before rebounding higher through the month. December 2013 EUAs took up the front-year position after December 2012 EUA contracts expired in the forward over-the-counter and exchange-based futures markets on Dec. 3 and 17, respectively. December 2013 EUAs fell to a fresh low of €5.99/metric ton ($7.92/ton) on Dec. 4, on renewed doubts over the European Commission's ability to push through market reforms that would include delaying 900 million EUAs from auctions in 2013-15.

Latin America is one of the brighter spots in the world of aviation, with traffic growth forecast second only to that of the Middle East. But although the region's airlines are furiously adding capacity and turning out healthy profits, lagging infrastructure investment and onerous government regulation could prevent Latin America's airlines from achieving their full potential.

The Transportation Security Administration is commissioning a study about whether the X-ray body scanners used to screen passengers at airports emit too much radiation. The study also will evaluate whether the design and maintenance of machines that use X-ray technology could prevent over-exposure to harmful radiation. The safety of X-ray screening machines was called into question in a 2011 report by ProPublica, a non-profit investigative news group, which suggested that up to 100 U.S. airline passengers per year could contract cancer from airport screenings.

Engine overhaul expenditures will grow modestly in the short term, but prepare for a spike.

Tony Tyler is director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association

Airframers plot next moves amid record-breaking production rates.

Commercial-scale, competitively priced production of drop-in biofuel replacements for petroleum-based jet fuel remains elusive, but technology work continues unabated. Two synthetic-fuel pathways are already approved for use in aircraft, in blends up to 50%: Fischer-Tropsch synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) from coal, gas or biomass; and hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) from animal fats and vegetables oils. At least two more could be added in 2013: alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) and synthetic kerosene with aromatics (SKA).