• Boeing’s largest union has agreed to a four-year contract extension deal ahead of schedule, which will ensure the new 737 MAX is assembled in Washington State. If ratified by the 28,000 members of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers union, the contract would end the airframer’s dispute with the National Labor Relations Board. [Reuters via Airwise]
• Airlines in the Middle East are holding on tight for what may be a rough road ahead in Syria, with trade sanctions looming in response to recent political violence. [FlightGlobal]
• Our friends at Universe Today have put together an amazing collection of Mars Curiosity Atlas V Rocket launch photos and videos. [UniverseToday]
• United and Continental are now functioning under a single operating certificate, which means you will no longer hear the Continental callsign on LiveATC.net. [WorldAirlineNews]
• An engine was shut down in-flight on Qantas regional carrier Sunstate Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 (VH-QOR) flight QF-2268. The aircraft landed safely. [AvHerald]