AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,390 news found
AirlinesAir Europa might join SkyTeam
Paris, France - As announced by Air France
Spanish airline, Air Europa, might join the SkyTeam global alliance as an associate member. The news was circulated yesterday by Air France, which has just renewed its code-share contract with Air Europa... more
CuriositiesVotes the Air Force One Republican?
Washington, USA - A bizarre proposal by USA Republican environment to add another "right" wing to the President's airplane
The Boeing 747-200B called Air Force One, the United States President's aircraft, would be involved in the Presidential electoral campaign. Nevertheless, such involvement would not regard aircraft's management... more
CuriositiesVenice autonomous police union plays April fool on airport security
Venice, Italy - A fake press release about an explosives detector was published
Venice's Sap (autonomous police union) played an April fool by publishing yesterday a fake press release concerning the installation of a new explosives detector at the Venice airport on 1 April. In the... more
PeopleIata: industry to post USD 3.2bn profit
Santiago, Chile - Traffic rises, cost reduction remains essential
"The successive crises that have traumatized air transport since September 2001 cost the industry three years of growth and profitability. Positive traffic trends over the last six months bring us back... more
IndustryA holding for Mil's helicopters
Moscow, Russia - It will incorporate all companies producing various types of helicopters belonging to such historical Russian brand
The foundation of a single holding for managing the activities of all the companies which produce Mil's helicopters has been announced in Russia. At first, it seems a similar operation for Kamov had been... more
PeopleItalian air transport strike confirmed for 5 April
Rome, Italy - In spite of the rumours about a probable postponement, the protest will take place
In spite of rumours of a probable postponement (see AVIONEWS), the Italian air transport strike planned for 5 April has been confirmed by unions. All employees of the sector will come out in protest for... more
Civil aviationStructural problems for US military helicopters
Washington, USA - It has been reported by pilots and crews
Helicopter pilots and crews would be particularly worried regarding the serious condition in which several aircraft are from a structural solidity point of view. In fact, a number of fuselage cracks would... more
Science and technologyCatania: yesterday airport stuck due to poor visibility
Catania, Italy - Most flights diverted to the Palermo airport
Due to poor visibility, the Catania airport faced a slowdown yesterday, although it was not closed. Most flights did not land at the "Fontanarossa" airport, but were diverted to the Palermo airport: from... more
DefenseNorth Korea: the United States are preparing the II Korea War
Pyongyang, North Korea - Pyongyang threatens to strengthen its own nuclear deterrent
North Korean Government proves very worried regarding recent joint exercises between the United States and South Korea and with reference to those with Japan. Moreover, Pyongyang thinks that the settlement... more
CuriositiesPresident Bush training with the F-16
Washington, USA - Possibility of supporting other President aircraft already in service with a two-seats version is under consideration
President George W Bush has overcome some training weeks in Air National Guard, by performing some flights thanks to a F-16's simulator before real tests. United States President has underlined the fact... more
AccidentsPresident Fox's plane hit by thunderbolt
Mexico City, Mexico - The aircraft has landed without consequences
The Mexican Air Force aircraft PT-01 on which President Vicente Fox was flying was hit on a wing by a thunderbolt during the return flight to the capital from Tamaulipas. The accident occurred while the... more
DefenseTension rises in Taiwan due to Chinese missile threat
Taipei, Taiwan - Two relevant military specifications in order to face such danger
Taiwan would have ordered from the United States the production of two long range warning radar aiming to detect ballistic missiles. American Government would have made know that such step is not strictly... more
Latest newsPentagon bashes the 767 Tanker programme
Washington, USA - Criticism towards US Air Force and Boeing for their insufficient delivery of project costs data
"Inappropriate procurement strategy". This is the definition given by Pentagon Inspector General concerning US Air Force’s order for 100 new Boeing KC-767 Tanker air-tankers (see for details AVIONEWS). B... more
Airports68-year-old German man lands in US airbase by mistake
Bitburg, Germany - He risked to be shot down
A retired 68-year-old man took a big risk yesterday when, onboard a small tourism aircraft, he landed at the American military airbase in Spangdahlem, Germany, one of the largest in the Country. The amateur... more
AirlinesAlitalia: negative results for last quarter of 2003
Rome, Italy - The board approved the accounts for the fourth quarter of 2003
Alitalia's board approved yesterday the accounts for the fourth quarter of 2003 and results are not reassuring. Sales from October to December 2003 amounted to EUR 1,084m with a decrease of 74m compared... more
IndustryRaytheon Co. awarded of a over 34 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the production of Seasparrow missiles
Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $34,483,374 cost-reimbursable modification to previously awarded contract N00024 03 C 5448, to procure long lead material in support of the FY03/04 production... more
IndustryRaytheon Corp. awarded of a near 12 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the MH-60R and MH-60S aircraft
Raytheon Corp., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded an $11,725,000 delivery order under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price definite-delivery/definite-quantity contract (N00383-02-G-018A) for manufacture... more
IndustrySikorsky Aircraft Corp. awarded of a over 84 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the MH-60R LRIP II aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn. is being awarded an $84,390,989 ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-03-C-0011) for the procurement of four MH-60R... more
Fair and shows110 years ago Sergei Ilyushin, famous Russian aircraft designer, was born
Moscow, Russia - He designed extraordinary war aircraft and contributed to the development of passenger travel
Today is the anniversary of the birth of Sergei Ilyushin, a famous soviet aircraft designer. He was born from a family of peasants in the north of Russia and, after graduating as an engineer in Moscow,... more
DefenseModernization process of German armed forces has started
Berlin, Germany - The Typhoon as the cornerstone of national defence system
German Government has recently shown its programme in order to radically chance its forces, as in its opinion they are now too affected by an old structure and a Cold War style. The "Bundeswehr in Transformation"... more
IndustryA new General Director for Galileo Avionica
Rome, Italy - He will mainly manage purchases and human resources
Galileo Avionica's board of directors has appointed its new General Director, Renzo Meschini. Meschini will take care of every issue regarding purchases, human resources management and the systems improvement.... more
AerospaceThe 9th ISS' crew is ready
Moscow, Russia - A Russian, an American and a European to leave on April 19 aboard of a Soyuz
The new astronauts (as the 9th crew) leaving on next April 19 for the International Space Station (ISS) have been selected and in large part already trained. Russian Gennady Padalka, US Michael Fink and... more
Latest newsFarewell celebration for the F-104
Rome, Italy - Waiting for its final retirement from service, orders from many sources arrive in order to receive at least an airframe
The retirement of the last F-104 Starfighter from service in Italian Air Force will occur on October 31 2004 but, in the meantime, several orders have arrived in order to take delivery of at least an aircraft... more
DefenseRussian Navy's exercise in the Black Sea
Moscow, Russia - An air-naval forces massive deployment up to April 5
A great Russian air-naval exercise has started in the Black Sea today, destinated to extend until April 5. Such activity involves 15 battle ships for every class, with the addition of 30 auxiliary naval... more
Science and technologyRome-Ciampino: new low-cost flights to Zurich and Coventry
Rome, Italy - Connections are operated by Helvetic Airways and Thomsonfly
The offer of low-cost flights from the second airport of Rome, Ciampino, keeps growing, with a new flight to Zurich inaugurated last Sunday by Helvetic Airways and one to Coventry, England, by Thomsonfly,... more
DefenseFirst matters to solve for the new 26 members Nato
Bratislava, Slovakia - Slovakia will not award its own bases while Russia keep an eye also on Slovenia
Official joining by 7 Eastern Europe countries of Nato since March 29 goes on causing worth noticing comments and reactions as much as relevant by various sources. From Bratislava (Slovakia) an announcement... more
Science and technologyCagliari airport: after fog alert stressed the need for runway adequation
Cagliari, Italy - As early as in September 2002, Sogaer had requested the completion of the Resa
Following the closure of the Cagliari airport yesterday and in this morning due to to fog and heavy rain, Sogaer, the company that manages the airport, has stressed the need for the completion of the Resa... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Dassault model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes
Usa - To prevent early fatigue, corrosion, or fretting, which could result in structural failure of major components, and possible reduced structural integrity of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2002-NM-232-AD; Amendment... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Dornier model 328-100 series airplanes
Usa - To prevent failure of the support arms of the ground spoiler assemblies due to cracking, which could result in loss of function and/or separation of the affected ground spoiler assemblies from the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2002-NM-300-AD; Amendment... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-318, A-319, A-320, and A-321 series airplanes
Usa - To detect and correct cracking in a main landing gear (MLG) sliding tube, which could result in failure of the sliding tube, loss of one axle, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2004-NM-43-AD; Amendment... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) model 4101 airplanes
Usa - To detect and correct damage of the horizontal and vertical stabilizer attachment fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the horizontal and vertical stabilizers and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2002-NM-63-AD; Amendment... more
DefenseCambodia starts destroying portable surface-to-air missiles
Phnom Penh, Cambodia - It is the first Asian country to resort to such pre-emptive move against terrorism
As it had already been announced (see for details AVIONEWS), Cambodia has started destroying its portable very short range surface-to-air missiles. Some 233 Russian made missiles will have to be eliminated... more
Latest newsItalian Air Force's 81 history years have been celebrated
Rome, Italy - Meeting among Heads of General Staff and Minister Martino
The celebration for 81 years from the foundation of the Italian Air Force occurred on March 28. Such anniversary has been commemorated by a comment of AMI Head of General Staff, General Sandro Ferracuti,... more
Civil aviationAn impressive increase of AMI's interceptions after September 11, 2001
Rome, Italy - The Italian fighters to constantly operate during Easter
Recently, Italian Air Force Head of General Staff, Gen. Sandro Ferracuti, unveiled data regarding interceptions performed by AMI's fighters up to today starting from September 11, 2001: some 67 notifications... more
AirlinesContinental Airlines: new flight from Cleveland to Myrtle Beach and Birmingham
Houston, Usa - From June 10 for a route while for the other one July 1
Continental Airlines announced the airline will begin new nonstop service linking its hub at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport with Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Birmingham, Ala. Seasonal once-daily service... more
AirlinesFirst flights for Thomsonfly, the new British low-cost airline
London, UK - The carrier connects Coventry airport with Europe
The first flights of new-born British low-cost carrier Thomsonfly took off today. The airline operates flights from the Coventry airport, in central England, to Jersey, Malaga, Rome, Valencia and Venice.... more
Science and technologyThe Eu proceeds against eight member States including Italy for acoustic pollution regulations
Brussels, Belgium - The Countries have not notified the regulations relative to the European directive
Eight Eu Countries - Italy, Germany, Greece, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Sweden - have received a motivated opinion by the European Commission for not having submitted the regulations... more
AirlinesAir France takeover bid on Klm in April
Paris, France - The operations was postponed last 19 March
The launch of Air France takeover bid on Klm, postponed last 19 March (see AVIONEWS), will be held early in April. The two carriers have announced it in a press release, although they have not specified... more
DefenseUkraine sets out missiles' disappearance
Kiev, Ukraine - Ukrainian Minister of Defence tries to ease international military and political environments
After the understandably worried reaction by international political and military environments, Ukrainian Minister of Defence has tried to keep people calm by stating that disappeared missiles, though... more
AerospaceBoeing to develop the new SBSS satellite system
St. Louis, USA - It will be able to track objects moving in space
Boeing has achieved the sign of a contract regarding the designing of an important space and defence programme which could open the foundation of a new step in the evolution of aerospace technology. The... more
IndustryAMS opens an office in Washington
Rome, Italy - This company aims to extend its international success even in the United States
Alenia Marconi Systems opens its new US office in Washington. The leading of such English and Italian group's strategy has been assigned to Dennis Kennelly, who will have to increase the influence of this... more
IndustryItalian-American conference on aerospace industry (2): Guarguaglini's speech
Washington, USA - Sharing know-how and creating new jobs
Also President and CEO of Finmeccanica, Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, attended such conference. An attempt was made in order to pay attention to the good quality of some Italian aerospace industry's products,... more
IndustryItalian-American conference on aerospace industry (3): the importance of Italian-American joint-ventures
Washington, USA - It will be important to try to repeat the C-27J programme's success
Italian Foreign Office Undersecretary, Mario Baccini, has added some relevant comments concerning what has already been pointed out by Minister Marzano and by Finmeccanica President, Guarguaglini. First... more
Curiosities88-year-old jumps from airplane on his birthday
Washington, USA - His son: "He did it on purpose", he had a brain tumor
He wanted to rent a plane similar to those on which he flew during World War II. An old American man, Joseph Frost, had decided to celebrate his 88th birthday this way. But when the biplane was approaching... more
Civil aviationNorthwest Airlines: bomb scare yesterday on three flights
Washington, USA - Planes searched, but they were false alarms
Three Northwest Airlines jets were involved yesterday in as many bomb scares. Aircraft, baggages and passengers were searched and also dogs were used to retrieve explosives. In all three cases searches... more
PeopleEurocontrol predicts 3.4% growth in air traffic
Brussels, Belgium - Between 2004 and 2010
The number of flights in Europe is expected to grow by around 3.4% per year between 2004 and 2010, with low-cost carriers taking around 24% of the market by 2010, according to a forecast released last... more
PeopleEuropean carriers obliged to transmit passengers data to the EU
Brussels, Belgium - The European Union aims to reinforce anti-immigration checks this way
The Council of the European Union has announced that from now on European airlines will be obliged to transmit the data of passengers arriving in the EU to customs authorities, with a fine of up to EUR... more
IndustryItalian-American conference on aerospace industry: Minister Marzano's speech
Washington, USA - Further cooperation growth is hoped against useless protectionism
An Italian-American conference on aerospace and defence sectors occurred yesterday in Washington, with the participation in particular of Italian Minister of Industry, Antonio Marzano. Minister Marzano... more
PeopleItalian Air transport strike on 5 April: probable postponement
Rome, Italy - Final decision will be reached this afternoon
The air transport strike planned for 5 April will probably be postponed. The industrial action was announced to protest against Alitalia's industrial plan and the air transport situation in general. In... more
Science and technologyProbable resignation for Venice airport head of security
Venice, Italy - A fake bomb passed security checks on 19 March
On 19 March, following the Madrid terroristic attack, inspectors of the Italian authority for civil aviation (Enac), placed a fake bomb at the Venice airport, which passed security checks (see AVIONEWS).... more