Boeing

China Southern orders Airbus jets worth US$21b as Boeing waits

29 Apr 2026 - 10:57PM

India

Chinese drone discovery sharpens focus on Asia’s undersea security race

24 Apr 2026 - 7:27PM

‘Not compromising quality’: why China’s C919 is falling behind on deliveries

Deliveries of the home-grown airliner billed to take on US, European competitors have been slow, with just three dispatched in the first quarter.

20 Apr 2026 - 11:14AMvideocam

A domestically-produced C919 lands at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Photo: Handout

New Zealand

Air New Zealand economy passengers can join world’s first mile-high sleep club

Socks are mandatory and crumbs, strong perfumes and bed-sharing are forbidden as fliers get cosy with their fellow passengers.

18 Apr 2026 - 10:23AM

2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

1 Apr 2026 - 6:23AMvideocam

Letters | Unfinished business: the delay of Trump’s China visit

Readers discuss the postponement of the US president’s visit to Beijing, and the underlying impulse behind American military action.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

US President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025, in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Getty Images

Iran targets Bahrain aluminium, 2 injured amid Hormuz closure

Most Gulf aluminium producers, which account for about 9 per cent of global supply, have been unable to ship due to Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

29 Mar 2026 - 8:22PM

Air China subsidiary to lease 10 Boeing jets in deals worth about US$400 million

The announcement comes weeks ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China, where he is expected to conduct trade talks.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Airbus

Airbus wins Chinese airline’s 101-plane order in victory over Boeing

China Eastern Airlines said it would take delivery of the A320neo aircraft, worth US$15.8 billion, between 2028 and 2032.

25 Mar 2026 - 11:07PM

Deal follows orders for 148 A320s from several Chinese airlines and a state-owned aircraft leasing group last year. Photo: Handout

Trump-Xi summit will be very amicable, predicts former Biden official

Kurt Campbell expects to see both leaders being ‘extraordinarily polite and engaged’ during key rescheduled meeting despite Iran conflict.

1 Apr 2026 - 12:23AM

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, in October, 2025. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

China's military weapons

PLA reveals AI-assisted aerial refuelling system days after US tanker crash

PLA Air Force details streamlined operations that pair tankers and fighters, with real-time recommendations for pilots.

19 Mar 2026 - 9:00AM

China-North Korea relations

One-way ticket: Emirates flies near-empty flights back to Dubai

Before the Iran war, the world’s largest international airline was chalking up hundreds of daily flights that were nearly full.

16 Mar 2026 - 11:46PM

Air China to resume North Korea flights after 6 years amid warming ties

The revival of tourism is seen as a test of Pyongyang’s willingness to reignite economic ties with Beijing, its largest trading partner.

14 Mar 2026 - 7:02PMvideocam

Air China appears set to relaunch direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang later this month. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images

Australia

Australia walks ‘very fine line’ with Gulf deployment amid Iran war

Analysts say the defensive deployment reflects Canberra’s attempt to balance alliance pressure with fears of deeper involvement in the conflict.

13 Mar 2026 - 4:43PMvideocam

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft (top left) flying over airspace in the Northern Territory of Australia. Photo: Australian Defence Force/AFP

China’s 5-year jet goals target C919 output, a new engine and less reliance

Amid geopolitical risks and supply-chain disruptions, Beijing is looking to shore up self-sufficiency in aircraft components, and an analyst says it has its work cut out.

12 Mar 2026 - 3:44PMvideocam

South Korea

Jeju Air crash: South Korean auditor says ministry prioritised cost over safety

The audit said the transport ministry allowed 14 non-compliant localiser structures at eight airports to reduce earthwork costs.

11 Mar 2026 - 1:38PM

Australia to send missiles to UAE, deploy reconnaissance plane, but no troops

Prime minister emphasises ‘purely defensive’ role for Australia as Iranian strikes escalate across the Gulf.

10 Mar 2026 - 9:15AM

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft in formation with US and Australian fighter jets. Photo: Australian Defence Force via AFP

Malaysia

Families of MH370 passengers urge Malaysia to extend ocean search

Families of those aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 urged ⁠the government to extend a ⁠contract with deep-sea exploration firm Ocean Infinity.

8 Mar 2026 - 6:06PM

Indonesia

Indonesia’s US trade deal faces a sovereignty reckoning at home

Nearly 80 civil groups and 65 academics have signed a petition urging parliament to block ratification of the ‘shameful’ deal.

7 Mar 2026 - 11:00AM

US using AI, B-2 bombers and suicide drones in Iran strikes

The US is deploying low-cost suicide drones modelled after Iranian designs as part of Operation Epic Fury.

2 Mar 2026 - 11:51AM

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley launching a Tomahawk missile. Photo: US Navy via EPA

United States

Nasa overhauls Artemis mission amid setbacks in moon race with China

The US space agency will essentially swap a planned moon landing for an additional test mission staged closer to Earth.

28 Feb 2026 - 1:50AMvideocam

Nasa’s Artemis II SLS moon rocket slowly rolls back towards the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Centre on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

27 Feb 2026 - 1:57AMvideocam

Pentagon to spend US$12 billion on surveillance, eyeing China’s build-up in Asia

The move targets Chinese manoeuvres, submarines and satellites in the Indo-Pacific, and strikes a contrast with Trump’s call for closer ties.

26 Feb 2026 - 2:57AMvideocam