Virgin America petitions DOT to eliminate fleet size limit -- Virgin America expects the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve its recent petition to remove the limit governing how many aircraft the carrier can fly. As it has grown, Virgin America has steadily persuaded the government to add to its fleet size limit, which started in 2007 at 22 aircraft, so it has never had trouble adding aircraft to its fleet. But now that the carrier is a public company with a "strong, healthy balance sheet," it is asking the government to remove that requirement entirely, spokesman Dave Arnold said. Brian Sumers/ATWOnline News

Why American Airlines has its own igloo -- American told employee this week that its maintenance staff has a traveling igloo-type enclosure that technicians bring on the road. They can use it to make repairs in places where American has no regular maintenance staff or hangar access. The igloo came in handy in December, after an Airbus A321 from Miami to Los Angeles diverted to Lubbock, Texas when an engine warning light came on. BrianSumers.com

China's financial turmoil won't disrupt California's economy -- Turmoil in China's financial markets has sent global stocks into a tailspin for the first week of the year, adding to months of concern that weakness in the world's second-largest economy could trigger a ripple effect globally. Tourism and entertainment, two major California industries that have thrived amid growing Chinese consumers, haven't yet seen signs of a slowdown. The average number of monthly passengers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on China's three major airlines increased 8% in 2015 over the previous year. Chris Kirkham & Paresh Dave/Los Angeles Times

After weather delay, Southwest launches SFO service from Bob Hope Airport -- Along with a stocking full of goodies, a special treat awaited Calder DuPont on Christmas morning: special Santa-made, candy-cane-striped tickets for a flight from Burbank to San Francisco for him and his mother. It would be his first time flying, a longtime wish list item for the 6-year-old. Awaiting that first flight's departure from the Burbank airfield, he got a taste of another air travel first when the departure time had to be delayed more than an hour due to wet weather in the Bay Area. With three flights to San Francisco each day Sunday through Friday and two flights on Saturdays, Southwest now provides service to all three Bay Area airports from Bob Hope Airport. Chad Garland/Los Angeles Times

Widespread flight cancellations at SLO airport due to lightning strikes -- After lightning knocked-out instruments in the control tower at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport Wednesday afternoon, all flights scheduled to land and take off after dark had to be cancelled. Airport officials told KSBY they plan to have the parts repaired and resume night operations by Friday evening. However, about 10 flights were cancelled Thursday and many others were delayed, causing long lines and some frustrated travelers. Christina Favuzz/KSBY San Luis Obispo

Redlands to hire consultant to draft airport business plan -- The city will be giving its airport similar treatment to its cemetery. The City Council has approved an agreement with R.A. Wiedemann & Associates to develop a business plan for the Redlands Municipal Airport, similar to what was done with Hillside Memorial Park in 2015. "The agreement has a lot of details in it that will present and result in a very, very good business plan," Councilman John James said. Sandra Emerson/Redlands Daily Facts

City floats $1 billion plan for final new runway at O'Hare -- City Hall is floating a nearly $1 billion plan to add one final new runway at O'Hare International Airport, a step that would pretty much conclude the giant O'Hare Modernization Program that began 15 years ago. Under a proposal that Mayor Rahm Emanuel has shopped in Washington, D.C., and Deputy Mayor Steve Koch has discussed with airline executives, the city would focus on building a new east-west runway a little north of the airport's main passenger terminals. Greg Hinz/Crain's Chicago Business

That time when we strapped an extra engine on to a jumbo -- Wednesday's QF63 from Sydney to Johannesburg took off with an extra passenger on board - a six ton Rolls Royce engine. With its four powerful engines and distinctive upper deck, the Boeing 747 is instantly recognizable wherever it flies. What you might not know is that the 747 has the ability to carry a fifth engine, fitted between the body of the aircraft and the inner-most engine on the port (left) side of the aircraft. Qantas News Room