For the second time in as many days last week, a major incident was narrowly averted in the skies near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport when two commercial aircraft approaching parallel runways violated the three-mile separation mandated by ATC. The FAA says it happened at approximately 10:30 pm CST Wednesday when an Air France 747 veered out of its lane, toward an American Airlines MD-80. The two aircraft were reportedly 12 miles from the airport. FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro says the vertical separation between the aircraft was 500 feet. An FAA official said the Air France plane suddenly veered toward the American MD-80, busting horizontal separation minimums. The Air France pilot corrected and both aircraft continued on to safe landings.

Did UPS mishandle aircraft inspections and repair work? Did later inspections find potentially serious problems with UPS aircraft? The FAA says no. A UPS mechanic in Miami told the FAA a UPS supervisor ordered him not to log repairs to the brakes of a company aircraft. Mechanics in Philadelphia said they were reassigned to other inspections after they refused to clear a plane that showed evidence of landing gear problems.

When Boeing's board of directors meets in Chicago today, it will decide whether the company's commercial aircraft division will build its first new model since 1991 -- or send the Dreamliner to sleep. Chances are, the 7E7 will get the nod. That could pave the way for the 7E7 program's official launch in the middle of next year. But first, Boeing needs to know, if they build it, will they come?

As the worldwide aviation industry continues to suffer the effects of 9/11, India, for one, is trying to do something about it. The government in New Delhi, along with airlines in that country, are revamping, hoping to attract more passengers and boost revenues. "The whole aviation policy is being framed with the consumer in mind. While the policy-making exercise is still underway, steps are being taken to set the pace for the smooth take-off of this industry," says one government official.