AirlinesCathay Pacific announces a big surge of profits

Hong Kong, China - First and business class demand remained weak

Cathay Pacific has announced a big surge in profits to USD 318m compared with USD 57m in 2001. The Hong Kong-based airline said it achieved its success by reducing operating costs, an increase in passengers... more

Latest newsAmerican aircraft have launched inserts in Iraq in which it is invited to not give fire to the oil pools

Teheran, Iran - Inserts arrived in Iran

According to Iranian daily newspaper, Jam-e Jam, American aircraft have launched this morning, in Iraq, inserts in which they invite the population and the soldiers to not execute eventual orders of giving... more

HelicoptersHornbill Skyways will take over all of Vision Air's flights

Miri, Sarawak - It will also absorb most of Vision Air's staff

An aviation company, Hornbill Skyways, owned by the Sarawak government will take over all of Vision Air's flights when it cease operations at the end of this month. "With this takeover, Hornbill will... more

Latest newsNorth-Koreans would have tried to capture the crew of an American spyplane

Washington, Usa – Revail appeared on "The Times"

If the North-Koreans enterprise had succeeded – write "The Times" - Washington would have been pitched headlong into a second international crisis. According to "The Times", difficult undertaking consists t... more

HelicoptersThe new Chinese Z-11/MB1had its first flight

Beijing, China - The helicopter will take a significant share of domestic civil aviation

A Chinese-designed helicopter, the Z-11/MB1, had a successful first flight on Saturday 8 at Jingdezhen. The success indicated that the helicopter was expected to take a significant share of the domestic... more

HelicoptersCongress hearings about loss of competitive ability in US helicopter industry

Washington, Usa - Boeing, Sikorsky, Bell and others will participate

A US House committee has scheduled hearings next week to look into the state of the helicopter industrial base, and more specifically its ability to respond to demands from homeland defence requirements. A... more

AirlinesThe European Commission will decide soon about the alliance Alitalia-Air France

Brussels, Belgium - Within the summer also the decision about SkyTeam

The European Commission decision about the alliance authorization between Alitalia and Air France, will be taken as soon as possible. It has asserted today by Amelia Torres, European Commissioner spokesman.... more

HelicoptersThe Bell Agusta BA-609 had its maiden flight

Arlington, Usa - Nearly 70 advance orders for the convertiplane

On March 7, a new convertiplane, the Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company BA-609, had its maiden flight. The six to nine passenger aircraft, jointly developed by Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, and by Agusta,... more

IndustryConfirmed the joint-venture between Eads and Finmeccanica

Munchen, Germany - Eads co-Ceo said that there are not alternatives at the moment

Philippe Camus, the co-Ceo of Eads, European group of defence and aerospace, said that its group will maintain with Finmeccanica the joint-venture in Mbda and Atr, and the partnership in the program for... more

HelicoptersMDHI delivered MD-Explorers to the state police of Baden-Württemberg

Mesa, Usa - MDHI is the market leader in serving airborne law enforcement

MDHI delivered on March 4 the first of five MD-Explorers to the state police of Baden-Württemberg. The highly complex, heavily equipped law helicopter will begin operating immediately, replacing a BO-105... more

AerospaceUsaf photo would show the damages in the Columbia’s covering insulator

Washington, Usa – The picture has been taken few moments before the tragedy

A picture taken few moments before Columbia explosion, on Texas skies in February 1, would show an air vortex over the left wing and a lacking section of the thermal covering panel in the entrance edge.... more

AerospaceAccording to Eutelsat President the company is in a position to run alone

Milan, Italy - It will grow for inner lines and with some acquisition

"We are in a position to run and to develop in an independent way, growing for inner lines and with some acquisition ad hoc". This is the Giuliano Beretta’s declaration, Eutelsat President, who confirms t... more

AerospaceEads asks a restructure of Arianespace

Munchen, Germany - More institutional or military launches are necessary

Eads, the European group of defence and aerospace, has asked a greater engagement of Europe for the restructure of Arianespace, the Arianes carrier. As the market is in free fall, "Arianespace cannot... more

IndustryProfit down for Eads

Munchen, Germany - The European colossus will dismiss 1700 workers in the space sector

Eads, the European group of defence and aerospace that controls Airbus, has closed 2002 with losses of EUR 299m to a profit of EUR 1,37b in 2001. The operating profit of Airbus is come down of 18% to... more

DefenseNorth-Korean have done a new missile test

Seoul, South Korea - The confirmation has come by South-Korean Defense Minister

"Missile has been launched today (3:00 am GMT) towards the Japan Sea. We think that it’s the same carrier model launched in February 24, but we are still trying to exactly understand the missile type". T... more

IndustryIn 2003 Airbus will deliver 300 airplanes

Munchen, Germany - Eads' Ceo said that

Eads, the European group of defense and aerospace, has confirmed that Airbus, of which it has 80%, previews to deliver in 2003, despite the difficulties of the world-wide conjuncture, 300 airplanes. From... more

Latest newsOne of the Saddam 's secret weapons could be an unmanned aircraft

London, United Kingdom– According to "The Times", it could be used for chemical war

The name is Drone and it could be the Saddam’s secret that could threaten foreign countries with chemical weapons. Diplomatic sources have told "The Times" that the drone is believed to be the same one t... more

DefenseThales is about to dismiss 10.000 workers

Paris, France - The French electronic group restructures its abroad activities

According to the daily paper 'Le Parisien', Thales, French electronic group of defense that occupies 65,000 people, is about to dismiss 10,000 workers. The reduction of job order in the field would have... more

Weather forecastsAir shows and exhibitions in March 2003

AERONAUTICAL REPAIR STATION ANNUAL REPAIR SYMPOSIUM…March 7-10, The Ritz Carlton-Pentagon City, Arlington, Va. Info: (703) 739-9543; Web site: www.arsa.org. DASSAULT FALCON REGIONAL SEMINARS…March 11,... more

IndustryNorthrop Grumman awarded of a over 8 USDm contract

Usa

Northrop-Grumman St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Fla., is being awarded an $8,300,000 order under a basic ordering agreement for repair of 11 horizontal stabilizers utilized on the F-14 aircraft. Work will... more

IndustryRaytheon Technical Services Co. awarded of a over 19 USDm contract

Usa

Raytheon Technical Services Co., Indianapolis is being awarded a not-to-exceed $19,247,361 undefinitized, firm-fixed-priced delivery order against a previously awarded indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity... more

IndustryRecon/Optical awarded of a over 19 USDm contract

Usa

Recon/Optical, Inc., Barrington, Ill., is being awarded a not-to-exceed $19,251,708 undefinitized, firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of four high-altitude and four medium-altitude shared reconnaissance... more

AccidentsAlgerian incident (2): American expert will collaborate with those Algerian

Algeri, Algeria - Only a wreck what is remained of the B-737

A group of Boeing's technicians would reach Algeria in order to participate to surveyings of the disaster that yesterday afternoon has seen an Air Algerie B-737 airplane to fall in Sahara desert. The... more

DefenseAVIONEWS in real time: Iraqi crisis (7): Powell wants an immediate decision

New York, Usa - There's not a real disarming

After the compliments for the inspectorsjob State Secretary Colin Powell said that there is need of giving a limit to the inspections. "It's true there have been some progress, but this happens in a... more

DefenseAVIONEWS in real time: Iraqi crisis (6): 10 days again before the war

New York, Usa - Syria accuses Usa of martial actitudes

Syrian State Secretary has emphasized Iraqi cooperation in disarming and he has accused Usa of war attitude that will create a situation of instability in MO. Some indiscretions from Security Council... more

DefenseAVIONEWS real time: Iraqi crisis (5): Germany State Secretary Fischer' s speech

New York, Usa - It's necessary to continue pacific disarming

"Until now we have not had proofs that the Iraq has constructed or is constructing nuclear weapons, also because the industrial situation of the country would not allow it. We hope that Iraq goes on to... more

CuriositiesAVIONEWS real time: Iraqi crisis (5): Germany State Secretary Fischer' s speech

New York, Usa - It's necessary to continue pacific disarming

"Until now we have not had proofs that the Iraq has constructed or is constructing nuclear weapons, also because the industrial situation of the country would not allow it. We hope that Iraq goes on to... more

AerospaceChina has chosen the astronaut to go into space

Beijing, China – The name is Chen Long

Will be Chen Long, the first Chinese national to go into space. Chinese authorities have released a picture of him in training at the time of the Shenzhou 4 launch in January 2003. According to the Hong... more

Latest newsStill problems for V-22 Osprey, tests have been suspended for a week

Washington, Usa - The evolution stresses by lethal incidents

It has been suspended at least until March 18-20 the V-22 Osprey program, because of a malfunctioning of the hydraulic system. It continues therefore the turbulent evolution of the aircraft that in the... more

AirlinesKlm and Malev will start flying from Budapest to Skopje

Amsterdam, Holland - The purpose is to extend its East European service

On March 31, Klm Airlines will start flying from Budapest to Skopje (Macedonia), with Hungarian state-owned partner Malev to extend its service to East Europa. It will fly 11 times a week using Fokker... more

Science and technologySms service at Bristol airport

London, Great Britain - The management society will inform about eventual delays

New service at Bristol airport. Its management society will send sms to the cellular of the travellers in wait in order to inform them about eventual delays. Those who will want use it, have to record... more

AirlinesHooters Air was born

Atlanta, Usa - From a restaurant chain to air company

The Hooters, chain of restaurants famous for the sexy waiters, has created its airline, transferring the family brand to it. Its maxim is to lure customers with cunning hostess. In fact, Robert Brooks,... more

DefenseJapan has evacuated Baghdad’s Embassy to precede an American attack

Tokyo, Japan - Decision has been communicated by the State network

Japanese State network Nhk has communicated today that Japanese Foreign Ministry has ordered to the staff of Baghdad’ Embassy to leave the Country before of a possible and imminent American attack. According t... more

IndustryMarriage in sight between Boeing and Bae System

Washington, Usa - The merger would create a giant in the military sector

Phil Condit, Boeing administrator, said that the company could considerate the eventuality of a fusion with Bae System. As the earnings of its military activities exceeds at the moment the commercial... more

Latest newsAppointed the Commander in chief of Patriot batteries in Turkey

Naples, Italy - The missiles will protect Turkey in case of war to Iraq

The Afsouth (South Europe Allied Forces) said that the American admiral Gregory G Johnson has assumed the control of the three Dutch missile-batteries Patriot, set in Southeastern Turkey. The alignment... more

AirlinesLeasing company seized a plane to Brazilian carrier for missing payment

Miami, Usa - The distraint just before the takeoff

Much astonishment for the passengers on board of the B-767 operated by the Brazilian airline Varig who have had to abandon the aircraft on which they were embarked at the international airport of Miami... more

Sport aviationA lonely voyager will fly cross the Pakistan in his manmade ultralight aircraft

Peshawar, Pakistan - He'll fly mainly to promote national harmony

In Pakistan, a self-taught flyer will start the first cross-country flight in his handmade ultra-light aircraft on April 1. The itinerary includes Karachi, Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Sukkur, Bannu and Peshawar. Mr... more

Latest newsRape and sexual assault has identified in Usaf

Washington, Usa - Air Force inquiry's result are worrying

The Usaf (United States Air Force) has identified 54 cases of rape or sexual assault in its investigation at the Air Force Accademy. According to the Air Force Secretary, James Roche, it would only be... more

DefenseA new missile has been handed over to Pakistan Army

Islamabad, Pakistan - Musharraf said that it's necessary to have a minimum deterrence

In January, another surface-to-surface missile system, Shaheen-1 (with a range of 750 km), was also formally handed over to Pakistan Army's Strategic Force Command. The missile - an official announcement... more

DefenseIsraeli Army is running to north of Gaza in order to prevent the launch of Palestinian missiles

Tel Aviv, Israel - Military radio announces it

Israeli military radio has reported that, in order to prevent ulterior launch of Qassam Palestinian rockets against Sderot’s citizen, in Northern Neghev, last night Israeli Army have occupied zones in t... more

AerospaceThe new base of European Space Agency has been inaugurated

Sydney, Australia - It will be specialized in the search of possible space life

New Norcia, locality far 150 km from Perth, has become the new base of European Space Agency. The base, inaugurated on March 6 from Geoff Gallop, Premier of Western Australia, costed EUR 27m and will... more

AirlinesTunisair inaugurates the new route Djerba-Palermo

Tunis, Tunisia - It will transport south Italian tourists directly to Djerba without a call in Tunis

On March 6, the Tunisair airline has announced the constitution of a new draft that will connect the island of Djerba, a famous tourist resort at 450 km from Tunisi, to Palermo airport. The route will... more