AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,505 news found
AerospaceRussia launched on orbit two Us communications satellites
Moscow, Russia - From Plessetsk cosmodrome
This norning at 9.34am (Gmt) a Russian rocket-propeller launched form the Plessetsk cosmodrom located in Arkhanguelsk region, Northwestern Russia, departed to escort two Us communications satellites Iridium.... more
DefenseFrench aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle quit operations in Afghanistan
Paris, France - It weighed the anchor last December from Tolone
According to French minister of Defence officials, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which sailed from Tolone last December, yesterday left Arabian sea to come back to France. The nuclear-powered... more
AirlinesAirlines under fire for making large passengers buy two tickets
Dallas, Usa - American Obesity Association is considering legal action
Southwest Airlines is under fire for its policy of charging overweight passengers for two tickets if they spill over into their neighbor's seat. The airline says it is trying to provide a comfortable... more
Latest newsIraqi anti-aircraft artillery fires against Anglo-American fighters
Washington, Usa - Fighters fired back
Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery fired against Anglo-American fighters in the northern no-fly zone of the country. Fighters fired back and hit radar facilities, according to US Force Command in Europe. According... more
IndustryVitrociset-Nato meeting on the Hawk Logistic Management Agency
Rome, Italy - In Cagliari from June 18 to 20
As far as the contract with the Nato's agency "Hawk Logistic Management", is concerned, Vitrociset, the Italian firm specialized in hi-tech, electronics and integrated logistics systems, hosted in Cagliari... more
Sport aviationFossett has overflown most part of Australia
St Louis, Usa - The American multi-millionaire's sixth attempt to fly solo round-the world in a balloon
Steve Fossett's sixth attempt to fly solo round-the-world in a balloon is going on smoothly. He has flown about 3000 km to date with an average speed of 90 km/h and at an altitude of 6000 m. Commercial... more
AirlinesPreussag still to decide whether to launch its new low-cost carrier
Berlin, Germany - On the other hand its new tour operator is ready to take off
Preussag, the European tourism and services group, will launch a new tour operator called Last Minute Fly, but has not yet decided whether to set up a budget airline. Preussag chairman Michael Frenzel... more
AirlinesMillionth Ryanair passenger to get EUR 67.500 damages from the airline
Dublin, Ireland - After it broke its promise to supply free tickets for life
Ryanair, the Irish budget airline, has been forced to pay a EUR 67.500 damages to its millionth passenger Jane O'Keefe by the Court. The lucky lady was given the free flights prize during a champagne celebration... more
AccidentsCanadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan: pilot did not follow steps
New York, Usa - They were mistakenly bombed by a US F16
The US Air National Guard F16 pilot who mistakenly bombed Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan in April did not follow proper procedures to ensure that his target was hostile. It was possible the pilot would... more
IndustryFlir Systems awarded of a near 6 USDm contract
USA
Flir Systems, Inc., Portland, Ore., is being awarded a $5,728,048 order against a GSA contract for 16 turret subassemblies used in support of H-1 aircraft. Work will be performed in Portland, Ore., and... more
IndustryCamber awarded of a over 6 USDm contract
USA
Camber Corp., Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a $6,142,130 cost-plus-fixed-fee, service contract for manufacturing and technical support for the U.S. Army and other Department of Defense agencies.... more
IndustryBell Helicopter awarded of a over 7 USDm contract
USA
Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $7,612,500 firm-fixed-price contract to purchase 75 main rotor blades used to support H-1 helicopters. Work will be performed in Fort Worth,... more
Civil aviationSpain: junior minister can order the shooting down of an aircraft in terrorist' hands
Seville, Spain - "Special and temporary" power during EU summit
The Spanish Interior junior minister, Pedro Morenes, has been given the "special and temporary" power to issue an order to shoot down civilian airlines, flown by criminals, that threaten the buildings... more
Press releaseContinental chairman Gordon Bethune urges Congress, Administration to improve airport security
New York, Usa - Calls for smarter security more keenly focused on potential risks
"Amid concerns among U.S. air travelers that aviation security is neither efficient nor customer-friendly, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Gordon Bethune today called... more
Civil aviationA Cessna alerted the White House
Washington, Usa - Two F-16s took off to escort the aircraft at Richmond airport
Last night at 8pm (local time) a small aircraft violated White House air space thus alarming authorities who promptly evacuated president Bush's residence for 15 minutes. Two F-16s combat aircraft escorted... more
AerospaceEndeavour eventually landed on Earth
Cape Canaveral, Usa - After a two-day delay
After having been post poned twice because of the bad weather conditions in Florida, last night the Us spacecraft Endeavour eventually landed at the Kennedy space center. Daniel Bursch and Carl Waltz,... more
AirlinesSN Brussels Airlines to operate on board a new A330-300
Brussels, Belgium - From Cameroun to Sierra Leone
SN Brussels Airlines, the Belgian air carrier born from the ashes of the bankrupted Sabena, as of June 21 is going to introduce a new A330-300 on its African network. The aircraft, which will be operated... more
PeopleATC strike: an "excessive reaction"
Brussels, Belgium - EU Commission's spokesman comments today's protest
Today's strike of many European air traffic controllers has been considered an "excessive reaction" by EU commission's spokesman, Jean-Christophe Filori. "A hammer has been used to kill an ant", commented... more
AirlinesAlitalia's recapitalization plan: Eu says officially yes
Rome, Italy - Italian minister for European policies: "I am rather satisfied"
After yesterday's rumours, today the European union gave its final and official ok to Alitalia's recapitalization plan. Soon after the news broke out, the Italian minister for European policies, Rocco... more
HelicoptersElta awarded a USD 5.6m contract for Missile Warning Systems
Tel Aviv, Israele - A device to protect Israel Air Force Black Hawk
The Israel Air Force has purchased Elta's proven Electronic Missile Warning Systems to protect its new fleet of Black Hawk helicopters. Elta Electronics Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Israel... more
AccidentsYoung Italian parachuter died in Us
Wisconsin, Usa - His corpse to come back in Italy next Saturday
Luca Bertetto, a 31-year old engineer from Turin (Italy) with a passion for parachuting died last Saturday in Wisconsin (Usa). After he launched from a rented aircraft from 5000 meters in fact the parachute... more
AirlinesDelta expands code-share agreements with Air France
Rome, Italy - Eight new destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia
Delta Air Lines and Air France have announced that they will expand their present code-share agreement to include eight new destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia as well as expanding frequencies to some... more
AirlinesUnited Airlines and US Airways close to a code-share agreement
Chicago, Usa - After last year merger failure
Two among the major American air carriers, United Airlines and US Airways, are close to sign a code-share agreement, that could provide both struggling carriers with benefits of last year's failed USD... more
Press releaseBoeing delivers 100th 717-200 Twinjet at ceremony
Long Beach, Usa - 'It's a fantastic airplane, and passengers frequently call and tell us to put them on a 717"
"The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) delivered its 100th 717 jetliner during a special ceremony today at the company's final assembly facility at Long Beach, Calif. 'I congratulate the 717 team ... you're way... more
PeopleSecond-hand smoke sinusitis gives an ex TWA hostess USD 5,5M compensation
Miami, Usa - After 14 years of work on smoking flights
4 major tobacco industries, Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. and Lorillard, could have to pay a USD 5,5m compensation to an ex TWA hostess. Lynn French, actually,... more
AirlinesTwo-day strike for Ram's pilots
Rabat, Morocco - From June 22 through 24
Royal Air Maroc's pilots decided to call a 48-hour strike starting June 22 in order to obtain better work conditions. Ram employes 430 pilots, 90% of whom are part of the association which called the... more
AirlinesSouth African Airways to renew its fleet thanks to 38 Airbus aircraft
Paris, France - To be delivered in ten years
The European aeronautical giant Airbus announced today that South African Airways (SAA), confirmed the command of 38 of its aircraft which are going to be delivered in ten years. With these 38 planes,... more
IndustryMore job cuts for Fairchild Dornier
Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany - The German-American planemaker is in bankruptcy protection
Fairchild Dornier, the German-American short-haul aircraft maker, announced job cuts between 800 and 1200 out of 3600 in Germany and 300 out of 700 in the US due to its insolvency. The hope to solve its... more
AirlinesKorean Airlines to award South Korean football team coach for yesterday's success
Seoul, South Korea - With 4 years of free first class tickets
After the historic victory obtained by the South Korean football team at expenses of Italy at World Cup 2002, the national air carrier Korean Airlines decided to award Guus Hiddink, the Dutch coach, with... more
Science and technologyATC strike: 64 flights cancelled at Frankfurt airport
Frankfurt, Germany - German air traffic controllers do not take part in the protest
Sixty-four flights have been cancelled today at Frankfurt airport, the second largest in Europe in terms of traffic after London-Heathrow. The cancelled flights served the links from/to France, Italy,... more
DefenseIraq shot surface-to-air missiles against Us and British fighters
Baghdad, Iraq - Within the "no-fly zone"
Iraq confirmed today that some of its anti-aircraft artillery posts launched yesterday surface-to-air missiles against Us and British combat aircraft in the "no-fly zone". These, sometimes daily, incidents,... more
IndustryTRW awarded of a over 46 USDm contract
USA
TRW ICBM Systems, Clearfield, Utah, is being awarded a $46,387,003.02 contract to provide for Minuteman Minimum Essential Communication Network (MEECN) Program integrates and extremely high frequency (EHF)... more
AerospaceEndeavour's landing on Earth post poned for the second day in a row
Cape Canaveral, Usa - Allowing Bursch and Waltz to consolidate their stay in space record
The Us spacecraft Endeavour, which was supposed at first to come back on Earth two days ago and then yesterday because of the bad weather conditions in Florida, will have to wait at least until this afternoon... more
PeopleEuropean budget airlines accused of safety breaches
London, Uk - By an air traffic controller
European no frills air carriers have re-acted with surprise after being accused that some of their pilots cut corners and compromise safety to avoid flight delays. According to the allegations made by... more
AccidentsTaiwan crash: black-boxes found
Taipei, Taiwan - After a three-week search
After a three-week search, rescue teams eventually found the black-boxes which were on board the B747 of China Airlines crashed last May 25 in the Taiwan strait causing 225 dead. Investigators hope the... more
Sport aviationFossett takes off successfully
Northam, Australia - He started his sixth attempt to fly solo non-stop round-the-world in a balloon
American tycoon, Steve Fossett took off successfully this morning at 9.37 am (local time) from Northam, 98 km north-east of Perth, Australia. About 2,500 onlookers cheered as the balloon named "Bud Light... more
AirlinesATC strike in France: Sas cancels 14 out of its 17 flights from Scandinavian capital cities to Paris
Copenhagen, Danmark - Air France cancels 4 out of its 5 flights from Paris to Copenhagen
Sas decided to cancel 14 out of its 17 regular flights from/to Scandinavian capital cities to/from Paris tomorrow due to French air traffic controllers strike. Sas cancelled all its flights operating... more
HelicoptersSudanese rebels announced to have shot down a Sudanese army helicopter gunship
Cairo, Egypt - SPLA has been fighting for self determination of south Sudan since 1983
Forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in Western Upper Nile claimed to have shot down and destroyed an helicopter gunship of the Sudanese army around the oilfields, in the south of the country.... more
DefenseSaddam Hussein to do some shopping in Kiev
Kiev, Ukraine - 4 warships and two Antonov
Saddam Hussein regime showed interest in the acquisition of 4 warships and two aircraft from Ukraine. Iraq could be in fact interested in the purchase of two airplanes made-by Antonov, the Ukraine-based... more
IndustryBombardier decides not to proceed further with Fairchild Dornier
Montreal, Canada - After a review of Fairchild Dornier’s 728/928 aircraft programs
Bombardier announced today that its technical, commercial and financial review of Fairchild Dornier’s 728/928 aircraft programs is now completed. Bombardier’s conclusion is not to proceed any further. Bo... more
AirlinesBrussels to okay Alitalia's recapitalization
Brussels, Belgium - Tomorrow the official authorization
Even though the official Eu authorization will be given only tomorrow, according to Brussels sources "no objection" has been raised to Alitalia's recapitalization plan. Tomorrow European Transports commission... more
Press releaseSevere disruption of Air France domestic and european flight schedule due to air traffic control strike on 19 June
Paris, France - "10% of its normal schedule of domestic and European flights"
"A strike has been called by European civil aviation staff including air traffic controllers on Wednesday, 19 June from 6 am to 11 pm, leading to the application of a minimum service by the authorities... more
AirlinesAir Lib cancels 90% of its domestic flights in France
Paris, France - All its long haul flights have been confirmed
Air Lib, the largest privately owned airline in France, cancelled 90% of its domestic flights and 50% of its flights from/to Algeria on Wednesday due to French ATC strike (6am-11pm). The airline confirmed... more
AirlinesLuxair cancels its flights from/to France tomorrow and from/to Spain the day after
Luxembourg - Due to local strikes
Luxair, Luxembourg national air carrier, announced its tomorrow flight from/to Nice and Paris-CdG have been cancelled due to French air traffic controllers strike. The air carrier also cancelled its flights... more
PeopleNew standards on board for foreign airlines flying into US
Washington, Usa - Temporary internal locking devices to be installed within 60 days
All foreign carriers flying into US will have to comply with the new requirements introduced by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), which include temporary internal locking devices to be installed... more
AirlinesEasyJet's shareholders okay Go acquisition
London, Uk - And now the carrier is going to create its new hub in Paris
Even though the operation still requires regulatory clearances, EasyJet's shareholders say yes to the acquisition of Go for USD 552m. From another perspective the European largest budget carrier is asking... more
Press releaseBlue Panorama: Air Madagascar returns to fly to Italy
Rome, Italy - On board the new Boeing 767-300ER
The African airline Air Madagascar will fly to Italy again with its new weekly link Milan-Antananarivo. The flight will be operated on board a new Boeing 767-300ER of the Italian airline Blue Panorama... more
DefenseAfghanistan: US forces found 30 surface-to-air missiles
Washington, Usa - After searches over the past two weeks
US forces in Afghanistan had found 30 surface-to-air HN-5 missiles (the Chinese version of the SA-7) in an arms cache in the southeastern part of the country. Searches over the past two weeks had uncovered... more
Latest newsIsraeli military aircraft violated again Lebanon skies
Beirut, Lebanon - Breaking several times the sound barrier
According to Lebanese police sources, this morning Israeli military aircraft violated once more Lebanon air space. Tension raises as Tel Aviv Air Force air raids increase (last occurred 4 days ago, editor's... more
AccidentsFire alert on board a Corsair's Airbus
Paris, France - Pilot forced to come back to the departure airport
A Corsair aicraft has been forced to come back to the airport where it departed from(Paris-Orly) after one of its engines caught fire. For a Corsair's spokesperson, "the incident has never represented... more