The growing rivalry between AirAsia and Lion is leading each to expand aggressively.

After a tough year for most of the airfreight business in 2012, the providers have more of the same to look forward to in 2013. But that does not mean the industry will be stagnant, as its players will be adjusting to short- and long-term changes in the business.

After its unveiling of the J-20 and J-31 stealth fighters, it is not unimaginable that Beijing could pull off another technological surprise in 2013. Could it up the superpower stakes by testing an unmanned combat air vehicle, an air-launched strike weapon or even a mini-spaceplane? Speculation abounds.

2013 plans call for near completion of ADS-B and ERAM

Receives commitments from Southeast Asian customers for 52 aircraft

In North America, 2013 is shaping up to be another year of tests, transitions, challenges and uncertainties for commercial aviation, even after three big airline mergers in the U.S. in recent years, the bankruptcy of a major Mexican carrier and financial troubles at Canada's biggest airline. But a lot of the questions could finally be settled by the end of the year.

Bombardier's future as a major player in the passenger jet business could rest on its new CSeries aircraft. The first flight has been delayed from December until as late as next June, and a key Chinese fuselage supplier fell down on the job. In 2013, Bombardier needs the CSeries to fly and customers to buy. Chinese

Just as the aluminum industry profits by turning one soda can into another, aircraft manufacturers are waiting for the day when composite scrap from their assembly lines, or parts reclaimed at an aircraft's end-of-life, can be made flyable again.