AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,314 news found
CuriositiesUSSR utilized civil aircraft as spy planes over the UK, released documents claimed
London, United Kingdom - The Defense Secretary informed Margaret Thatcher about these activities
According to some documents of the United Kingdom National Archives which have just been released, the Soviet Union utilized civil airplanes to spy American and British installations in the 80s. The... more
IndustryBoeing-Aeromexico: finalized an order for six Dreamliner airplanes
Seattle, Usa - With reconfirmation rights for four additional aircraft
Boeing and Aeromexico finalized an order for six 787/9 Dreamliner airplanes, with reconfirmation rights for four additional Dreamliners. The order by Mexico's largest airline, which was first announced... more
AirportsAircraft and infrastructure. Vinci's bid officially confirmed winner for ANA's acquisition
Lisbon, Portugal - The management firm of the Portuguese airports acquired for 3.08 billion Euro
Vinci Concessions has been selected by the Portuguese government to acquire ANA, the concession holder for 50 years of the country’s ten airports: Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Beja on the mainland, Ponta D... more
IndustryBoeing: six B-777 airplanes ordered by China Airlines
Taipei, Taiwan - The order includes purchase rights for four additional aircraft
Boeing and China Airlines have announced an order for six 777/300ERs (Extended Range) airplanes. The order, which is valued at approximately $2 billion at list prices, includes purchase rights for four... more
Military aviationChina confirms development of new Y-20 transport aircraft (VIDEO)
Beijing, China - A Defense Ministry spokesperson declares the project is "Going forward as planned"
On Thursday 27 December 2012 Yang Yujun, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry for Defence, confirmed that Beijing is developing the Y-20, a new transport aircraft which will be capable to meet all the... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. New delays for Berlin-Brandenburg Airport?
Berlin, Germany - According to the minister for Transport, the opening date "Might possibly not be met"
The never-ending story of the brand-new state-of-the-art Berling-Brandenburg Airport might not end with the date which was announced in the past months, which is only the latest of a long series: this... more
AccidentsAccidents on Christmas: an airplane in Kazakhstan and a helicopter in Ukraine crashed
Astana, Kazakhstan - 32 casualties overall
Two serious accidents occurred on Christmas day in Kazakhstan and Ukraine, causing 32 casualties overall. An Antonov An-72 airplane of the Kazakh Air Force, which departed from the capital Astana, crashed... more
Press releaseItalian ENAV: fourth P-180 airplane for flight inspection
Rome, Italy - In Italy ENAV's flight Inspection fleet performs its activity by flying for approximately 2,000 hours a year
ENAV buys a new Piaggio Aero P-180 Flight Inspections and completes the total renewal of its flight inspection fleet. This is the fourth airplane that the Italian company for air traffic control has acquired... more
OccurrencesExtreme planespotting: airplane lands really close to the crowd during an exhibition (VIDEO)
Ballenstedt, Germany - Wrong approach, the aircraft touches ground on a side road
Enthusiasts of planespotting, that is to say the close observation of aircraft, always try to stay as close as possible to airplanes and helicopters when they enjoy their hobby, but on Wednesday 26 December... more
IndustrySaab-Piaggio Aero Industries: agreement for integration of surveillance systems for aircraft
Linkoping, Sweden - Deliveries are scheduled for the period 2012 to 2015
The defence and security company Saab has signed a framework agreement with Italian Piaggio Aero Industries. Within the framework agreement Saab receives an order for the integration of surveillance systems... more
HelicoptersBell: five additional helicopters in Turkey
Fort Worth, Usa - To protect forest resources and coordinate firefighting operations
Bell Helicopter has announced that it has signed an agreement with the Republic of Turkey Undersecretariat for Defence Industries for the supply of five Bell 429 aircraft. The Bell 429s will be operated... more
MiscellaneousAVIONEWS wishes everyone a merry Christmas
Rome, Italy - The agency will reopen on Thursday 27 December
AVIONEWS communicates to its subscribers, readers and Facebook fans that on Monday 24 December it will not be operational because of the Christmas holidays. After the break, the agency will reopen on Thursday... more
HelicoptersNH-90 helicopter: Eurocopter celebrates two firsts with Belgium and France
Marignane, France - 133 models have been delivered to 14 countries and more than 31,000 flight hours
Eurocopter on December 21 achieved a new milestone in its NH-90 program with two ceremonies held at its Marignane facility near Marseille in the south of France, during which the manufacturer delivered... more
HelicoptersBell signs agreement with Air Methods for 20 Bell 407GX helicopters
Fort Worth, Usa - For air medical transport for critically ill and injured patients in the USA
Bell Helicopter announced on December 21 an agreement with Air Methods for the supply of 20 Bell 407GX aircraft. Air Methods will dedicate the helicopters to air medical transport for critically ill and... more
AerospaceExpedition 34 spacecraft successfully docked to the International Space Station
Houston, USA - The hatches between the Soyuz and the Rassvet module are set to be opened at 11:45 am est
Expedition 34 Flight Engineers Tom Marshburn, Roman Romanenko and Chris Hadfield docked their Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft to the International Space Station’s Rassvet module at 9:09 am EST on Friday 21 D... more
IndustryLockheed Martin delivers 30 F-35 airplanes in 2012
Fort Worth, Usa - 11 CTOLs, 18 STOVL variants, and one Carrier Variant (CV)
Lockheed Martin delivered 30 F-35 airplanes in 2012. The 30 aircraft comprised 11 CTOLs, 18 Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) variants, and one Carrier Variant (CV). Two of the STOVLS were the... more
IndustryBoeing test breakthrough means more reliable connectivity on airplanes
Seattle, Usa - Its engineers created a new process for measuring radio signal quality
Boeing has developed an advanced method to test wireless signals in airplane cabins, making it possible for passengers to enjoy more reliable connectivity when using networked personal electronic devices... more
IndustryAirbus: AirAsia becomes first operator of Sharklet equipped A-320 airplane (VIDEO)
Toulouse, France - These newly designed wing-tip devices reduce fuel burn and emissions
Airbus has delivered the first A-320 airplane equipped with Sharklets on December 21 to AirAsia, which becomes the first operator of the new fuel-saving large wing tip devices. Sharklets are an option... more
Press releaseFinmeccanica about Eurofighter aircraft order from Oman
Rome, Italy - It is the seventh country at global level for the European airplane
Finmeccanica, partner in the Eurofighter programme through Alenia Aermacchi, welcomes with great satisfaction the new order of 12 Eurofighter signed by Oman which thus becomes the seventh customer, at... more
Press releaseGemina BoD: examined the state of the approval procedure for the Economic Regulation Agreement of Aeroporti di Roma
Rome, Italy - The Board gave its positive opinion on the proposal contained in the letter sent by AdR to the Government
The Board of Directors of Gemina, having held a special meeting on December 20, has examined the current state of the approval procedure for the Economic Regulation Agreement of its subsidiary Aeroporti... more
IndustryEurofighter: Oman is the seventh customer to operate the aircraft
Hallbergmoos, Germany - More than 340 aircraft have been delivered to six nations
The Eurofighter community welcomes Oman as a new member to join the international defence programme. Oman will become the seventh customer to operate the world’s most advanced new generation swing-role/multi-role c... more
HelicoptersBell 429 helicopter to operate in Venezuela, after INAC validation
Fort Worth, Usa - This approval makes the Venezuela the thirteen country
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company announced on December 20 that Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC) has validated the Bell 429 to operate in Venezuela. Additionally INAC has endorsed... more
HelicoptersEC-145 helicopter Mercedes-Benz style will soon fly over Germany with Meravo
Donauwörth, Germany - The aircraft will join to the operator's fleet of 25 helicopters
Eurocopter’s EC-145 Mercedes-Benz Style helicopter will soon fly over Germany: Meravo, one of the country’s most experienced commercial helicopter operators, ordered one of the elegant high-end aircraft in... more
IndustrySSJ-100 airplane: agreement with Sky Aviation for after-sales support of models in fleet
Venice, Italy - Worth up to USD 57 million for a term of 10 years
SuperJet International –a joint-venture between Alenia Aermacchi (a Finmeccanica Company) and Sukhoi Holding– announced on December 21 the execution of a “SuperCare” Agreement with the launch customer for Sou... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. American Airlines and US Airways close to a merger?
New York, USA - The union would create the world's largest airline
According to a report published by "Bloomberg", American Airlines and US Airways would be close to put into effect their merger, which is an operation able to catalyse a lot of attention during the past... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Fastjet chairman sets his pay at 1 pound per year
London, United Kingdom - Lenigas: "I intend to establish a foundation to enable underprivileged children in Africa to experience the joys of flight"
Usually the top executives of an airline have wages in the range of the millions of dollars, with large bonuses based on the objectives achieved, which are often sources of criticism, particularly when... more
CuriositiesBAE Systems closes Filton Airport, the home of the British Concorde aircraft
Filton, United Kingdom - The English firm will contribute to the creation of a museum on the site
The place where the ten English Concordes and other historic aircraft like the Bristol Barazon or the Bristol Type 175 Britannia were assembled and flew for the first time: these are some of the reasons... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. TAP privatization postponed by Portugal government
Lisbon, Portugal - The only bid has been considered inadequate
The Portuguese government decided to postpone the privatization of TAP, the main national airline, which is part of a wider 78-billion-Euro privatization plan, since the only bid received, which was presented... more
Finance and economyFinmeccanica about GE-Avio transaction: it is subject to regulatory and governmental approvals
Rome, Italy - About EUR 260 million
Finmeccanica announces that the company Avio SpA, 100% controlled by BCV Investments SCA (“BCV”), which is 14.3% owned by Finmeccanica, has sold to GE the activities related to its aircraft engine div... more
IndustryBAE Systems announces order for 12 Eurofighter aircraft from Oman
London, United Kingdom - The agreement, which includes 8 Hawk trainer jets, has a value of 3.1 billion Euro
Confirming the rumours which leaked in the past days, BAE Systems announced on Friday 21 December 2012 it reached an agreement with Oman for the supply of twelve Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and of eight... more
AccidentsEngine on fire: emergency landing for an airberlin aircraft in Phuket
Phuket, Thailand - No problem reported for the 249 persons on board
An airberlin aircraft was forced to perform an emergency landing in the evening of Thursday 20 December 2012 because of an engine failure shortly after its departure from Phuket International Airport (Thailand). The... more
IndustryAirbus: first of four A-330/200F aircraft delivered to Tampa Cargo
Toulouse, France - The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engines
Tampa Cargo, AviancaTaca Holding’s cargo airline based in Colombia, has taken delivery of the first of four new A-330 Freighter (A-330/200F) aircraft at Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France. The aircraft i... more
HelicoptersEurocopter: Finnish Border Guard expands its fleet with two additional AS-332L1 helicopters
Helsinki, Finland - Deliveries scheduled for 2015
The Finnish Border Guard is to expand its Eurocopter fleet with the acquisition of two additional AS-332 L1 Super Puma helicopters fully equipped for maritime search and rescue missions in the country’s c... more
Industry"Fly Your Ideas" by Airbus: more than 6,000 students of over 100 nationalities registered to the edition 2013 of the initiative
Toulouse, France - Airbus assessors are currently reviewing entries to select the most innovative ideas
More than 6,000 students of over 100 nationalities registered for "Fly Your Ideas 2013", the global university contest organized by the aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Teams of students are challenged to... more
IndustryBoeing: four B-767F airplanes to FedEx Express
Seattle, Usa - The order is part of FedEx's initiative to modernize its fleet
Boeing and FedEx Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of FedEx Corp., announced on December 19 an order for four 767 Freighters. The order is part of FedEx's initiative to modernize its fleet. The addition... more
IndustryBoeing: first P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft delivered
Seattle, Usa - India will receive this airplane and two more of its eight contracted models in 2013
Boeing on Dec. 19 made an on-site delivery of the first P-8I aircraft to the Indian Navy in Seattle, in accordance with the contract. India will receive this aircraft and two more of its eight contracted... more
IndustryBombardier inks two purchase agreements for 22 CSeries aircraft (VIDEO)
Montreal, Canada - The two customers are airBaltic and an undisclosed airline based in the Americas
On Thursday 20 December 2012 Bombardier Aerospace announced it signed two contracts for the purchase of 22 CSeries aircraft by airBaltic and an undisclosed customer based in the Americas: the overall value... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Toto's Livingston launches "Slow cost" offer (VIDEO)
Milan, Italy - The Lombard company manages to put together quality of services, safety and competitive prices
With the debut of the route from Milan to Mauritius operated with an Airbus A-330 aircraft, Riccardo Toto's Livingston entered the market of luxury intercontinental tourist destinations, such as Kenya,... more
IndustrySAAB: option in the contract signed in 2011
Linkoping, Sweden - The total order value for this option comes to about 152 MSEK
Sweden’s Defence Procurement Agency (FMV) has taken up an option in the earlier contract ‘Systems Support for Air Traffic and Airbase Systems 2011-2012’ which Saab signed on 5 September 2011. The total... more
HelicoptersAgustaWestland helicopters: contracts signed with the UK MoD and with Azerbaijan Airlines
Rome, Italy - With a total value of about EUR 435 million
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has signed contracts with a total value of about EUR 435 million in the UK and Azerbaijan. In particular, AgustaWestland has signed a three year contract (from... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport passes the 50-million-passenger-per-year milestone
Amsterdam, Netherlands - "This illustrates the tremendous economic relevance of aviation to our country"
On Thursday 20 December 2012, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol welcomed the 50 millionth passenger of 2012. This is the first time in the airport's history that more than 50 million passengers travelled via... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. Rekindling of desire for Kingfisher?
Mumbai, India - The Middle-Eastern carrier wavering between Jet Airways and the troubled airline
For a weeks Etihad Airways has been carrying on talks to acquire a stake in an Indian carrier. After an initial interest in Jet Airways (AVIONEWS), the Emirati company focused on Kingfisher Airlines (AVIONEWS),... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. London-Stansted Airport should not be de-regulated, CAA claims
London, United Kingdom - According to the authority, the benefits to consumers of continuing economic regulation are likely to outweigh the possible adverse impacts
On Thursday 20 December 2012 the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published for consultation its latest thinking on whether London-Stansted Airport should be fully de-regulated from 2014. The consultation... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Partnership Qantas-Emirates gets ACCC conditional approval
Canberra, Australia - The two carriers will have to increase connections between Australia and New Zealand
On Thursday 20 December 2012 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a draft decision proposing to grant authorisation, subject to a condition, for five years for an alliance between... more
UAS-DronesX-47B UAV successfully concludes its aircraft carrier trials (VIDEO)
Norfolk, USA - Trials performed with the ship in port and off the coast of Virginia.
Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed a series of deck handling trials of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier... more
IndustryBAE Systems: delays in talks with Saudi Arabia over Eurofighter aircraft could hit profits
London, United Kingdom - "Issues remain to be resolved before contract pricing can be agreed"
On Thursday 20 December 2012 BAE Systems communicated with a statement to the London Stock Exchange that some delays in the talks with Saudi Arabia regarding some aspects over pricing of the Eurofighter... more
SecurityAircraft accidents: EC proposes new rules through better use of data on occurrences
Brussels, Belgium - The new rules would promote more efficient exchange of information between Member States
The European Commission proposed on December 19 new rules for the better protection of air passengers, aiming to achieve a decreased number of aircraft accidents and fatalities through better use of data... more
PeopleAirbus Corporate Foundation: Fabrice Brégier, new Chairman of the Board
Toulouse, France - He replaces Tom Enders, CEO of EADS
During its last Board of Directors meeting on 17th December, the Airbus Corporate Foundation appointed Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO, as its new Chairman of the Board, succeeding Tom Enders,... more
AirlinesAllegiant Air wants to purchase former Iberia-owned A-320 aircraft
Las vegas, USA - "Finding up to nine aircraft of this pedigree available for purchase is unusual"
Allegiant Travel Co. parent company of the American airline Allegiant Air, announced its intention to purchase up to nine Airbus A-320 aircraft with a 177-seat all-economy configuration which were previously... more
AirlinesGermany: Ryanair accused of "Underweight" aircraft
Berlin, Germany - The carrier is suspected of communicating fake MTOW figures to save money
Deutsche Flugsicherung, the German company which is responsible for air traffic control in Germany, announced it is investigating Ryanair for an alleged falsification of the figures relative to the Maximum... more