Rolls Royce said on Thursday that its underlying sales increased 12 per cent to £4,211 million in the first half of 2008. The aircraft-engine maker said that its underlying pre-tax profit was up eight per cent to £410 million.

Boeing reported a greater-than-expected 19 percent drop in quarterly profit on Wednesday as it took a charge on a delayed military plane contract and suffered knock-on effects of its troubled 787 Dreamliner programme.

Rolls Royce Group said on Thursday that almost $400 million worth of orders for new engines had been placed with the company.

British Airways expects to cut capacity by three to five percent in its winter season due to the rising cost of fuel, its chief executive told reporters on Tuesday.

Etihad Airways ordered 100 planes worth over $20 billion (10 billion pounds) from Airbus and Boeing as Gulf carriers ruled a slower-than-normal opening day at the Farnborough air show.

On Friday Thomas Cook said it had cancelled the planned merger of its Condor airline with fellow German airline, Air Berlin.

British Airways (BA) said on Friday that its new Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport was proving popular with customers, despite a chaotic opening earlier in March.

Irish Media sources have claimed that property developer Liam Carroll has sold at least 30 million shares in Aer Lingus.

British Airways (BA) has signed a 68 million euro deal to buy French business airline l'Avion. The airlines made the announcement in a joint statement on Wednesday.

Defence firm BAE Systems said on Friday that it had appointed Ian King as its new Chief Operating Officer. King's appointment will take effect from 1 September this year.

Sir Richard Branson is reported to be in talks with Brazilian partners to start up an airline in Brazil.

Chemring Plc said it would be buying US firm Martin Electonics Inc (MEI) for $70 million. MEI manufactures ammunition and fuses whilst Chemring produces military countermeasures along with ammunition and explosives.

British Airways has raised fuel surcharges for its First class, Club World and World Traveller Plus passengers on its flights to offset higher fuel prices.

EADS said on Friday that its CEO, Louis Gallois, was committed to completing his full appointment at the aerospace company.

British Airways is to launch a new airline on Thursday that will provide flights from New York to continental Europe, it was reported on Wednesday.

European aerospace group EADS is "in line" with its target to cut costs by 2.1 billion euros ($3.25 billion) by 2010, EADS Chief Executive Louis Gallois told reporters on Wednesday.

Silverjet planes could by flying again "in a matter of weeks" it was announced on Wednesday.

British Airways and BAA today began moving long haul flights from Terminal 4 to the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport. British airways also said that it would begin transferring its other long haul flights in two further phases.

BAE Systems Plc has landed a $1.66 billion (£85 million) fixed price contract with the Pentagon to supply 10,000 medium tactical vehicles to the US Army, the Pentagon said on Monday.