Boeing has disclosed that it still expects that the first delivery of the 777-9 variant of its 777X programme will occur in 2026. The US manufacturer on 11 October 2024 had announced amid a then-ongoing strike by its machinists that it was delaying delivery of its first 777X aircraft to 2026, concluding 767 freighter production in 2027 and reducing its workforce by approximately 10%. Boeing expects to report on 28 January that it generated $15.2 billion in revenue during the fourth quarter of 2024. It adds that results for its commercial unit "will reflect impacts associated with the [International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers] work stoppage and agreement including lower deliveries and pre-tax earnings charges of $1.1 billion" on its 777X and 767 programmes. "Although we face near-term challenges, we took important steps to stabilise our business during the quarter including reaching an agreement with our IAM-represented teammates and conducting a successful capital raise to improve our balance sheet," states Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg. "We also restarted 737, 767 and 777/777X production and our team remains focused on the hard work ahead to build a new future for Boeing."

The Australian government has acquired A$50 million ($31.4 million) of debt owed by Regional Express Holdings from PAG Capital that makes it the largest secured creditor of the in-administration regional airline. Transport minister Catherine King says in a statement that the debt acquisition is “an important step to prevent an adverse outcome for regional communities, such as liquidation, and ensure the continued connectivity of Australia’s regional and remote communities.” Rex confirmed the assignment of the debt was completed on 23 January in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange. It is the second financial intervention by Canberra since Rex was placed into administration in July 2024. In November it provided an A$80 million commercial loan to the airline, allowing it to sustain its turboprop operations and extend its administration period to June this year after failing to secure a purchaser for the carrier. “Whilst the accelerated initial sale process undertaken by the Administrators in mid-2024 did not find a suitable buyer for the airlines’ regional operations, the Government continues to work closely with the Administrators through the extended convening period,” King adds.

South Korea’s transport ministry will remove concrete structures containing localiser equipment at airports and replace them with lightweight steel structures or bury the equipment underground. The ministry adds that it will also extend safety zones at various airports to the recommended 240 metres, and where that is not possible deploy an engineered material arresting system to slow down an aircraft, according to a 22 January update. The improvement plan follows two safety inspections into airport facilities across the country after a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed into a concrete embankment at the end of Muan International airport on 29 December, killing 179 people. The concrete barrier has been blamed for exacerbating the crash, making it more deadly than it could have been. The inspection revealed that improvements were needed at seven airports, including Muan, Gimhae, Jeju, Gwangju, Yeosu, Pohang-Gyeongju, and Sacheon airport. The ministry says improvement measures will take place immediately, while it plans to roll out measures to prevent bird strikes in February, as well as an aviation safety innovation plan in April. Investigations into the crash are still underway, with no official statement as to what caused the crash.