Government actsThe European Commission initiates a procedure concerning a state aid to the French airline company Aom Air Lib

Rome, Italy - The decision issued on the Official Journal of the European Union of April 11 2003

Official Journal of the European Union C 88 of April 11 2003, p. 2. State aid — France Aid C 3/03 (ex NN 42/02) — Aid to rescue and restructure the Air Lib company. Invitation to submit comments pur... more

Science and technology"Iraqi Freedom": strong explosion in the military airport of Baghdad

Baghdad, Iraq - During the explosion was travelling an Us convoy

A strong explosion has been recorded this morning in the military airport of Al Muthanna, near the railway station of Baghdad. Qatar's television Al Jazeera has transmitted the images of a large black... more

Airlines"Sars Emergency": Cathay Pacific could suspend flights

Hong Kong - News communicated by the air company

"We preview that the number of passengers in a day could decrease at 6.000 in May and in this case we would have to consider the hypothesis to ground our fleet", explains Cathay Pacific on Internet. "We... more

Defense"Iraqi Freedom": Marines are controlling Tikrit, the Anglo-American winning is complete

Baghdad, Iraq - Yesterday helicopters and F-18 have prepared the troops advance

This morning, Qatar's network al-Jazeera has transmitted live, video about Marines who walked in the Tikrit's center, while the tanks lined up in a public square. After a hard battle with the Iraqi leader's... more

Government actsThe German Government has decided to impose a public service obligation in respect of scheduled air services on the Erfurt–London (Stansted)

Rome, Italy - The decision issued on the Official Journal of the European Union of April 10, 2003

Official Journal of the European Union C 87 of April 10, 2003, p. 28. Imposition of a public service obligation in respect of scheduled air services pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92. 1.... more

Government actsThe European Commission initiates a procedure concerning a state aid to the French airline company Aom Air Lib (2)

Rome, Italy - A description

2. Description. Following the decision by their former shareholders Taitbout Antibes BV, belonging to the Marine-Wendel group, and particularly Swissair, to no longer continue their investment strategy,... more

Fair and showsFemale pilot brings back her A-10 to the base in terrible conditions

Centcom, Qatar - It's the first time such a landing has been performed without hydraulic system

In the first (media) war of 21th century there is glory also for the fair sex, that operates more often in the firing line of the American Army, free of gender prejudices that still in Europe keep away... more

Weather forecastsAir shows and exhibitions in April 2003

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON AVIATION PSYCHOLOGY…April 14-17, sponsored by Wright State University, Dayton Convention Center, Dayton, Ohio. Info: (937) 775-5512. VIRGINIA AVIATION SAFETY WEEK SEMINAR S... more

IndustryMcDonnell Douglas awarded of a over 57 USDm contract

Usa

McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded an estimated $57,100,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee, award-fee contract for the F/A-18 E/F Integrated... more

IndustryHoneywell awarded of a near 35 USDm contract

Usa

Honeywell International Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., was awarded on April 2, 2003, a $34,818,435 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for the C47 Cargo Helicopter. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Ariz.... more

Science and technologyThe Cuban police has avoided a skyjack

Havana, Cuba - News communicated by Cuban Government

An official Havana's Government note, transmitted by Cuban network, said last night the local police has avoided an skyjack. Aircraft was landed in Island of the Youth, situated in South-Eastern of the... more

AccidentsA plane crashes on the Iraqi-Turkish border

Ankara, Turkey - No news about the plane and its nationality

They are very insufficient the details that come from Turkey about an aircraft incident that would have had place just on the Turkish-Iraqi border. A column of smoke and strong outbreaks are what witnesses... more

Science and technologyTo be installed at Heathrow the first Wi-Fi hotspots in England

London, UK - At Terminal 1 the possibility to surf the net wireless

Also in periods of such an uncertainty the technology cannot be stopped and proposes always new solutions, more useful to the requirements of the passengers, especially for whom every minute cannot be... more

IndustryEads has created a new pole of Defense

Paris, France - "Defense and Security" will be based in Munchen

The base will be in Munchen, it will have a turnover of EUR 5 bn and 24,000 dependents in 9 countries. It is "Defense and Security", the new pole created by Eads (European Aeronautic Defence and Space... more

PeopleA first agreement to help Us airlines has been reached

Washington, Usa - It's waiting for a Bush' confirmation

Some steps ahead have been made in the attempt to lavish to the moribund American airlines a substantial economic aid that, although the losses are still high, will turn out to be a vital puff of oxygen.... more

DefenseIraqi Freedom ": 30 missiles with Cyrillic inscription have been discovered in Northern of Baghdad

Baghdad, Iraq - Missiles would been abandoned few days ago

Thirty missiles, about 10 meters long and with a diameter of 1 meter, on board of fifteen trucks, have been discovered in a field near a trade center in the Northern of Baghdad. According to Us Force sources... more

PeopleNtsb opens an inquiry on a charter company that lost 2 planes in one day

Ohio, Usa - No a specific accusation, but since 2003 there were 3 other incidents with the same plane

Ntsb (National Transportation Safety Board) has decided to open an inquiry on Wednesday after that the day before two Falcon-20 airplanes, owned by the same airline, crashed killing 3 persons on board... more

Airlines"Sars emergency": Cathay Pacific reduces its operativity of 37%

Hong Kong, China - It issued the first profit warning in all its history

For the first time in its history Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong-based airline, has emitted a "profit warning" after having taken the decision to reduce its operativity of 37%, in order to face the catastrophe... more

Defense"Iraqi Freedom ": the Usa threaten to launch Moab bomb on Tikrit

Washington, Usa- It is the most powerful conventional weapon existing

While the Coalition Force continue the bombing of Tikrit and the Republican Guard, lined up in defense of the city, the United States has threatened to use Moab (Massive Ordinance Air Burst), the most... more

AerospaceIndia awards Arianspace for more launches

New Delhi, India - They will be two telecommunication satellites

As it was widely emphasize during this week also by AVIONEWS, the launch of Arianes 5 was very important in order to decide the fates and the future of the carrier rocket that has taken the place of the... more

AerospaceIndia awards Arianespace for more launches

New Delhi, India - They will be two telecommunication satellites

As it was widely emphasize during this week also by AVIONEWS, the launch of Arianes 5 was very important in order to decide the fates and the future of the carrier rocket that has taken the place of the... more

Defense"Iraqi Freedom": hard battle for a suspicion arsenal near the border with Syria

Qaim, Iraq - It could be chemical weapons

According to Us Force sources, a violent battle is in course since this morning in Qaim, in the North-West of Iraq, near the border with Syria. The sources have specified that Iraqis are trying in order... more

Press releaseIata on fighting Sars

Rome, Italy - The measures to put in place by the airlines

"The recent outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) has had a devastating impact on the countries and economies of Southeast Asia. The air transport industry has been one of the hardest hit... more

Airports"Sars Emergency": it has been discovered the virus, it will be named Urbani

Atlanta, Usa - It is a coronavirus of animal origin

It will be named Urbani as the Italian doctor who has discovered the desease and died for it, the virus responsible of the atypical pneumonia. It has been discovered by two European and American equipe.... more

People"Sars Emergency": sick embarked for 7 flights

Hong Kong, China - All the airplanes were of Lufthansa

A man suffering by Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) embarked for seven times on board of international flights. News has been communicated by official sanitary of Hong Kong. "Last Tuesday - sanitary... more

AerospaceNew cash boost for the Us space program

Washington, Usa - In 18 months a new project will be introduced

NASA has yesterday announced to have assigned USD 135m to 3 societies in order to continue the Orbital Space Plane program. The 3 companies are Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, and each will... more

AirlinesSome problems related to Concorde's ground

London, UK - It will cost GBP 83m for its retirement

It has not been grounded yet but Concorde lets to speak a lot about itself the next day of the decision from part of Air France and British Airways to withdraw the mythical supersonic airplane after nearly... more

PeopleFaa announces 10,000 cockpits are now safer

Washington, Usa - An expense of USD 250m, but not everybody is satisfied

Very pleased Faa Administrator (Federal Aviation Administration), Marion Blankey, who yesterday has verified the deadline set up from the American authority, has been respected and on Wednesday there were... more

AerospaceRussia ready to launch a new carrier rocket

Moscow, Russia - A cosmodrome in the Far East will be used

The launch tests for a new type of carrier rocket in Russia could begin soon, deriving the technology directly from the RS-18B intercontinental ballistic missile (Icbm). The reconversion program has been... more

HelicoptersIn Arizona another detachment to train the future Singapore's Apache pilots

Arizona, Usa - It's the sixth center the Asian country inaugurates in Usa

It has been inaugurated two days ago in Arizona a detachment of Singapore helicopter force that will benefit of the American experience in the work of training on the Apache helicopters, of which Singapore... more

AerospaceIt needs EUR 1bn in order to save Ariane

Paris, France - Beyond the half it will need for the launch of Ariane 5

EUR 1bn is the demand of Arianespace, company that commercializes the flights of Ariane carrier, to its shareholders and the European Governments. It is a sum necessary for its survival and beyond the... more

AirlinesSas to axe 4,000 workers to face the crisis

Stockholm, Sweden - All sectors will experience drastic cuts

It will be equal to 13% of the total job force the cuts to the staff announced today from Sas (Scandinavian Air System), the joint airline of Sweden, Denmark and Norway that employs beyond 30,000 persons... more

IndustryBillions of dollars in Airbus' future thanks to new possible A-400M orders

Tolouse, France - Canada, Australia, Norway and Sweden are interested about the plane

If the market of the airliners still finds some difficulties, and the cancellations or reductions of orders in recent months have not been uncommon, there is an other field that could experience a moment... more

IndustryBilions of dollars in Airbus' future thanks to new possible A-400M orders

Tolouse, France - Canada, Australia, Norway and Sweden are interested about the plane

If the market of the airliners still finds some difficulties, and the cancellations or reductions of orders in recent months have not been uncommon, there is an other field that could experience a moment... more

AccidentsProblems for 2 F-16s left from Aviano air base: an emergency landing performed

Zagabria, Croatia - The fighters are part of Sfor mission

It has been the Defense Minister of Zagabria to communicate the emergency landing for 2 F-16 combat jets of Sfor (Force of Stabilization of NATO in Bosnia) performed succesfully at the airport of Divulje,... more

PeopleIt ended the era of supersonic flight (2): Concorde's technical sheet

Rome, Italy - Flying beyond 2000 km/h on board one of the most tecnological aircraft

The first Concorde, constructed in Folton, raised in flight on December 17, 1971, and it was withdrawned for being exposed in the Imperial War Museum of Duxford in August 1977, while in the 1973 they began... more

Science and technologyAutogrill to operate at Minneapolis airport until 2015

Minneapolis, Usa - The authorization has been renewed, USD 220m revenue is expected

HmsHost, American subsidiary of the Italian Autogrill, has assured the renew for other 12 years of the food and beverage retail license at the international airport of Minneapolis, that every year counts... more

Airlines2,7 million passengers have been transported by Swiss on the first trimester of the year

Basel, Switzerland - Load factor is of 67,9%

2,7 million passengers transported and a load factor of 67.9%, are the data obtained by Swiss International Air Lines, on the first trimester of the year and communicated by the same company. "For the... more

Latest news"Iraqi Freedom ": Us bombers attacked Arabs, not Iraqi, near Baghdad

Baghdad, Iraq - Combats also in a mosque

Arab combatants, not Iraqi, that were trying to take the control in zones on the western river of the Tigris, in Baghdad, this morning they have been the target of a heavy bombing by coalition aircraft.... more

DefenseNorth Korea could ignore the UN decisions

Seoul, South Korea - Declaration is of the Russian Secretary of State

"North Korea could ignore any UN Council's decision about its suspiciones programs for the nuclear weapons", has reported today Sergei Ivanov, Russian Secretary of State, after a talk with its South-Korean... more

AirlinesPassenger traffic in decrease for Air France in March

Paris, France - But goods traffic has increased

"War in Iraq accelerated in the second half of the month the deterioration on March beginning", it is Air France's comment about last month's data. During March, French air company has recorded a decrease... more

PeopleIt ended the era of supersonic flight: Concorde retires

London, UK - A downturn revenue and a lack of reliability the main causes

Little melancholy has spread among the operators but also among the fans to the news that Air France and British Airways will abandon the Concorde as airplane for the civil flights, after 27 years of honored... more

AerospaceA perfect launch for Ariane 5

Kourou, French Guyana - The mission started with 24 hours late

It would have had to leave on Tuesday at 22:52 gmt from the cosmodrome of Kourou in French Guyana the rocket Arianes 5, instead the launch has been executed 24 hours later, succesfully. Indeed, as it's... more

AirlinesFirst ok for the code-sharing pact between American Airlines and British Airways

Washington, Usa - In one week the decision could be officialized

Free way from part of the American Department of Transport to the agreement of code-sharing between American Airlines and British Airways, that is the greatest American airline (and world-wide) and the... more

AirlinesThai Airways acquires 8 A-340s, favourite to B-777s

Bangkok, Thailandia - The planes to be delivered by 2006, almost USD 1bn the order value

Thai Airways has confirmed the purchase of 8 new airplanes from Airbus that will make part of the long term plan of the airline's development, which would carry the number of aircraft in its fleet to 92... more

Science and technologyAlso for Heathrow airport a toll will be paid, GBP 5 to go in

London, UK - The tax to fund alternative ways and to discourage the car use

Heathrow like the center of London if the proposal of Mayor, Ken Livingstone, to apply a toll to whoever enters in airport with the private car had to be accepted. Indeed, in the intentions of Livingstone... more

AirlinesUs Airways gives the use of its aircraft for troop transport

Pittsburgh, Usa - Some flights to be cancelled

Still cuts to the flights for Us Airways, but this time the reduction is not tied to a decline in the bookings or a desertion in because of Sars or the war in Iraq. Indeed the Arlington-based airline... more

IndustryNew agreement between Airbus and Us Airways for a delivery of 10 A-330/200s

Virginia, Usa - The emerging from bankruptcy gives more strenght to the Us carrier

Us Airways has reached a new agreement with Airbus for the supply of jets, after that the previous pact had been frozen because of the financial difficulties of the Virginia-based carrier, as soon as exited... more

Government actsQuestion: "Shifting traffic flows in air transport as a result of subsidised cooperation between regional airports and new entrants to the market"

Rome, Italy - Presented to the European Parliament by Erik Meijer (European United Left)

Written question E-1183/03 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the European Commission (March 20, 2003). Subject: Shifting traffic flows in air transport as a result of subsidised cooperation between regional... more