in brief

FUEL PRICES

Area gasoline prices will fall up to 25 cents a gallon by Halloween if history is any guide, analysts for a gas price-monitoring website said.

“While past performance is never an absolute indicator of future price positions, a review of recent history gives us good reason to expect prices to fall between now and Halloween, by between 20-to-25 cents per gallon,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, which operates DaytonGasPrices.com and CincyGasPrices.com.

The average price of regular-grade gasoline in the area stood at roughly $3.25 a gallon Thursday, according to DaytonGasPrices.com.

From Sept. 19 to Halloween, the U.S. average price has fallen by an average of 28 cents per gallon over the past five years. “But we’re leaning closer to the 10-year average, which is 23 cents per gallon,” DeHaan said.

Gregg Laskoski, another GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst, said “barring a hurricane or sudden turbulence in the Middle East, we’re confident that most metro markets across the U.S. will see their prices fall in this 20-to-25 cent range.” STAFF REPORT

AVIATION

Lufthansa selected the GE9X-powered Boeing 777-9X aircraft, Evendale-based GE Aviation announced Thursday.

The engines for the 34 aircraft announced by Lufthansa are valued at more than $2.5 billion list price, GE Aviation said. This is the first selection for the new GE9X, which is part of the GE90 engine family, said GE Aviation, which has some 1,400 employees in the Dayton area.

“Lufthansa is known for its technical expertise, and this decision shows the confidence that the airline has in the GE9X engine and 777X aircraft combination,” David Joyce, president and chief executive of GE Aviation, said in the company’s statement.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a provider of jet, turboprop and turboshaft engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. It has operations in Evendale, Dayton, Beavercreek and Vandalia. STAFF REPORT

AIR TRAVEL

Columbus airport complete concourse renovations

Port Columbus International Airport said Thursday that it has completed the first phase of an $80 million upgrade with renovations complete in the six-gate Concourse A.

The airport said Vino Volo and Donatos Pizza will offer additional food and beverage options for Southwest and AirTran passengers.The airport said the concourse incorporates new finishes including terrazzo flooring, new gate holdroom carpeting, wall treatments and ceiling tiles as well as new and renovated restrooms.

Concourse C is getting a $5.9 million renovation that should be finalized in the next few months, the airport said. STEVE BENNISH

About the Author