AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,314 news found
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. Four companies remain in the race for the privatization of Portuguese airport operator ANA
Lisbon, Portugal - Lisbon hopes to raise more than 2.5 billion Euro from the sale
The race for the privatization of ANA (Aeroportos de Portugal), the State-owned operator company of several airports in Portugal, lost a competitor: Portugal's Mota-Engil SGPS SA, which was involved together... more
HelicoptersMaiden flight for the first no 1 series of EC-175 multirole new generation helicopter
Marignane, France - The machine confirms excellence of its performance, according to Eurocopter
Eurocopter has conducted the first flight of its no. 1 series-production EC-175, and confirmed the excellent performance of this next-generation multi-role helicopter. The maiden flight occurred at... more
AirlinesAlitalia: direct flights from Rome to the Armenian capital, served by A-320 airplanes
Rome, Italy - Flights operated twice a week
The new direct flight between Italy and the Armenian capital Yerevan, which will be operated twice a week, permits to reach one of the most important industrial, cultural and scientific centers in the... more
Press releaseBoD of GEMINA (Aeroporti di Roma): the approval of the budget and business plan postponed
Rome, Italy - It has not been possible to approve the investment plan of EURO 2,5 billion for next ten years
The Board of Directors of Gemina met on December 12 and decided to postpone until January of next year the approval of the Gemina and ADR 2013 Budget and the ADR 2013-2022 business plan, given the incomplete... more
AirlinesAdvanced talks ongoing for the expansion of Vueling aircraft fleet
Madrid, Spain - "We are not married to Airbus", carrier's chairman declared
During a press conference in Madrid, the chairman of the Spanish low-cost company Vueling Josep Pique i Camps confirmed that the management of the carrier is in advanced talks with several firms to expand... more
IndustryNorthrop Grumman-Finmeccanica joint-venture withdraws from the race for the new USAF helicopters
Washington, USA - Another three companies leave the competition: Sikorsky is the only one left
The joint-venture formed by Northrop Grumman and AgustaWestland, which is a subsidiary of Finmeccanica Group (AVIONEWS) withdrew from the 6.84 billion dollars competition to provide 112 new combat-and-rescue... more
HelicoptersFour EC-135 helicopters delivered to the Finnish SHT during the 4Q12
Donauwörth, Germany - Worldwide, there are more than 1000 aircraft in service
The fast-paced deliveries of four new EC-135s to Skärgårdshavets Helikoptertjänst Ab (SHT) during the fourth quarter of 2012 is enabling this Finnish operator of emergency medical airlift services and ai... more
AirportsLondon-Heathrow's Terminal 2 will be home for the aircraft of Star Alliance companies
London, United Kingdom - "We are delighted by this decision", the alliance CEO comments
Heathrow Airport Holdings, the management firm (previously known as BAA) of London-Heathrow Airport, which is the busiest European hub and the third in the world in terms of passenger traffic, announced... more
AirlinesAircraft and finance. State aid for LOT Polish Airlines?
Warsaw, Poland - Talks with Air China to find new investors
The Polish airline LOT has applied for the first tranche of state aid, which amounts to 400 million zlotys, according to the Treasury Ministry, which declined to provide the total amount: however, some... more
ReportNorth Korean rocket launch generates criticism worldwide (VIDEO)
Pyongyang, North Korea - Even China expresses "Deep concern"
The launch of a North-Korean rocket in the morning of Wednesday 12 December 2012 is generating severe criticism worldwide, in spite of the declarations from Pyongyang, which states that the operation was... more
Civil aviationFAA: Portland, Oregon flights to be cleaner and greener
Portland, Usa - Beginning next year
The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on December 11 that pilots will start using new NextGen technology and procedures that will enable aircraft to fly more e... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Alitalia reaches an agreement with the unions
Rome, Italy - Company's CEO Ragnetti: "Everyone's sense of responsibility prevailed"
On Tuesday 11 December 2012 Alitalia reached an agreement with the unions which represent the employees of the carrier (Filt-Cgil, Fit-Cisl, Uil and Ugl trasporti): the announcement came from Andrea Ragnetti,... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. Passenger traffic to be opened by 2013 at the new Dubai Airport
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - As confirmed by the president of the operator company
The new Dubai "Al Maktoum" International Airport will open by 2013, according to the declarations released on Tuesday 11 December 2012, during a press meeting, by Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, president... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. Delta acquires a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic: the two carriers create a joint-venture
London, United Kingdom - Singapore Airlines banks 360 million dollars
On Tuesday 11 December 2012 Delta Air Lines closed the purchase of a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd from Singapore Airlines for 360 million dollars, and as a consequence of the operation the... more
Civil aviationAircraft and transport. Fair Stream consortium: the project is one of those launched by SESAR in 2012
Brussels, Belgium - Its objective is to pave the way for the use of TTA instead of CTOT
In autumn 2012, the FAIR STREAM (FABEC ANSPs and AIRlines in SESAR TRials for Enhanced Arrival Management) consortium involving major European airlines, air navigation service providers and suppliers started... more
AirlinesAircraft and transport. Alitalia-Etihad: Roman ceremony for the launch of the new route with Abu Dhabi
Rome, Italy - Cocktail party at Palazzo Colonna with the CCOs of the two companies
The sumptuous location Palazzo Colonna in Rome hosted the cocktail party which was organized to celebrate the launch of the new route between the Italian capital and Abu Dhabi, which has been operated... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Sir Branson bets 1 million pounds with IAG boss on the future of Virgin Atlantic
London, United Kingdom - The relationship between the two airlines has always been troubled
One million pounds: this is the amount that Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin group, is available to bet with Willie Walsh, chief executive officer of International Airlines Group (IAG, the holding... more
CuriositiesA FAS' Bell 412 helicopter flew above Abu Dhabi with the world's largest aerial banner
Fort Worth, Usa - In occasion of the UAE's National Day on December 2
Bell Helicopter announced on December 10 that a Bell 412, owned by Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) of Abu Dhabi, flew along the shore of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while displaying the world’s largest a... more
AirportsAircraft and finance. 250-million-Euro reallocation for the construction of Berlin-Brandeburg Airport
Berlin, Germany - The supervisory board is waiting for news from the European Commission for the additional capital requirement
The supervisory board of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH, the management firm of Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, approved an additional 250 million Euro for the construction budget to complete the new hub... more
CuriositiesAircraft crash in Zambia causes panic, but it is just an exercise
Lusaka, Zambia - Some media "Mocked" by the fake accident
A McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft crashed in the evening of Monday 10 December 2012 at Lusaka "Kenneth Kaunda" International Airport (Zambia) with 93 persons on board included 8 crew members. It seems... more
IndustryBoeing: 15 B-777/300ER airplanes for Turkish Airlines
Istanbul, Turkey - Worth $4.7 billion at list prices
Boeing and Turkish Airlines have finalized a firm order for 15 B-777/300ER (Extended Range) airplanes worth $4.7 billion at list prices. The agreement, first announced in October as a commitment, also... more
AirlinesAircraft and transport. Iberia unions cancel pre-Christmas strike
Madrid, Spain - "We don't want to harm passengers, we will study new actions"
The unions of Iberia employees have cancelled the strike they had called in the past weeks which was scheduled in the days just before Christmas holidays (AVIONEWS): the workers' representatives had announced... more
Industry4th C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF)
Long Beach, Usa - Boeing has delivered 249 planes worldwide
Boeing delivered on December 10 the Qatar Emiri Air Force's fourth C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in Long Beach. The delivery reflects Qatar's agreement with the US government to acquire two additional... more
AirportsAutogrill: the Group won the three lots in the tender called by Aena for the Spanish 26 airports
Milan, Italy - For seven years and extened for a further three ones
Through its World Duty Free Group (WDFG) subsidiary, Autogrill has secured all the duty-free and duty-paid concessions in Spain to become the only operator in the sector in Europe’s second biggest airport m... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. Etihad Airways interested in purchasing a stake in Kingfisher Airlines
New Delhi, India - 48% of the shares would cost roughly 426 million Euro
Since the Indian government has authorized investments from foreign airlines in the local companies, with stakes up to 49%, Etihad Airways has shown its interest in entering the market of the South-Asian... more
AirlinesAircraft and carriers. American Airlines pilots ratify tentative agreement, exit from Bankruptcy is close
Dallas, USA - Proposal accepted by 73.7% of the union members
The pilots of American Airlines voted with a large majority the ratification of the tentative contract agreement with the company: according to the president of Allied Pilots Association (APA) Keith Wilson,... more
IndustryRolls-Royce-Usaf: completed flight test for improvements for the T56 engine for C-130 aircraft
Washington, Usa - And preliminary results
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, and the United States Air Force have completed flight testing for the latest enhancement for the T56 engine, and preliminary results have exceeded expectations... more
CuriositiesSkyTeam reaches a total of 1,000 destinations on its global route map
Amsterdam, Holland - A new game has been launched to celebrate this important milestone
SkyTeam (ST), the global airline alliance, has reached a total of 1,000 destinations on its global route map. The alliance and its 19 members now offer customers a combined worldwide network that has grown... more
Military aviationFirst three updated MiG-29 aircraft delivered to the Indian Air Force (VIDEO)
New Delhi, India - Significant improvements for the fighter weaponry
JSC Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, a subsidiary of the United Aircraft Corporation, began to supply upgraded MiG-29 fighters to the Indian Air Force. The first three aircraft are delivered to India... more
IndustryA-400M airplane completed the 300 hours of F&R
Madrid, Spain - A key requirement prior to full certification
Airbus Military has successfully completed the 300 hours of Function & Reliability (F&R) flight-testing of the A-400M new generation aircraft which is a key requirement prior to full certification. Data... more
Finance and economyChinese consortium purchases an 80.1% stake in ILFC, one of the largest aircraft lessors worldwide
New York, USA - The Asian group has an option to increase its participation to 90%
Confirming rumours which circulated during the past days (AVIONEWS) American International Group Inc (AIG) announced an agreement to sell the 80.1% of the stock of shares of its subsidiary International... more
Civil aviationAirplanes and airports: three Associations of airlines urge MEPs to vote in favour of the Ground Handling Regulation
Brussels, Belgium - It will take place on December 12
The Association of European Airlines (AEA), the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) and the International Air Carrier Association (IACA) on December 10 all called on the European Parliament to increase... more
IndustryMilitary aircraft. Selex Sistemi Integrati-Snecma agreement for the mission planning systems (IAF MSS)
Rome, Italy - Worth 3,4 million Euros
SELEX Sistemi Integrati, a Finmeccanica company, signed a contract worth 3,4 million Euros, with the agency NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) to supply a two year support for the... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Iberia unveils the details of its restructuring plan
Madrid, Spain - the carrier will look for the optimization of the network, focusing on the most profitable routes
Iberia communicated the details of its restructuring plan, which was announced on November 9, 2012 (AVIONEWS), which is centred on the optimization of the network, focusing on the operations on the most... more
Civil aviationAirport security workers strike, aircraft grounded in Germany?
Berlin, Germany - Problems expected also for the bad weather, with the snow which caused several cancellations on Sunday 9
The strike of the workers of airport security and the problems for the snowfalls which are hitting Germany in these days could cause strong inconvenience in Germany today, Monday 10 December 2012, with... more
Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: strong winds and tidal waves on the South and islands
Rome, Italy - Foehn wind on the Lombardy Alps
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, issued a bulletin for adverse weather conditions. The notice announces from today on Monday December 10, winds from strong... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. Richard Branson could sell part of his stake in Virgin Atlantic to Air France-KLM
Crawley, United Kingdom - According to a report by the "Sunday Times"
The chairman of the Virgin Group, the English billionaire Sir Richard Branson, could sell an undisclosed part of its stake in Virgin Atlantic Airways to Air France-KLM, the French-Dutch Holding which represents... more
Military aviationF/A-18 Super Hornets could be the choice for the new aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force (VIDEO)
Brasilia, Brazil - The US fighter would prevail on the SAAB Gripen and the Dassault Rafale
The choice for the new fighter aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force could be the F/A-18 of United States' Boeing. which would prevail on France's Dassault Rafale and Sweden's SAAB Gripen, according to... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. European Commission wants more concessions from Ryanair to authorize Aer Lingus takeover
Brussels, Belgium - Almunia declares that talks are "Not yet at the critical stage"
The European Commission, which is evaluating the third Aer Lingus takeover attempt carried out by Ryanair, after other two tries failed in 2007 and 2009, requested by December 20 a package of concessions... more
Finance and economyChinese group in talks to acquire ILFC, one of world's largest aircraft lessors
Beijing, China - It could be a 5.5-billion-dollar deal
According to reports by "Bloomberg", published on Friday 7 December 2012, a consortium of Chinese companies is interested in acquiring International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), one of the two largest... more
AirportsBerlin airports: traffic report for November
Berlin, Germany - A total of 1,993,856 passengers at Tegel and Schönefeld
A total of 1,993,856 passengers –4.8 per cent more than in the same month the previous year– were recorded at the airports Tegel and Schönefeld in November. The two airports thus handled 23,477,365 pass... more
HelicoptersDanish government signed a letter formalizing its intent do buy nine MH-60R helicopters
Washington, Usa - Denmark is the second country (after Australia) to purchase the SeaHawks
The US Navy announced on December 6 that the Danish government signed an official letter of offer and acceptance formalizing its intent to buy nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and comprehensive logistics... more
AirportsOslo Airport will welcome EU leaders and heads of State aircraft in the occasion of the Nobel Peace Prize
Oslo, Norway - Assigned to the European Union next Monday
The Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded on Monday, 10 December. As known, the prize was awarded to the EU, and many European leaders and artists will be arriving at Oslo via the Oslo Airport Gardermoen on... more
Military aviationCanada is about to renounce to the F-35 aircraft purchase, a source says
Ottawa, Canada - Because of the high costs of the project
The purchase of the F-35 fighter aircraft is close to be cancelled, according to the declarations of a source familiar with the decision quoted by several local media: the excessive cost of the project... more
CargoAircraft and courts. Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines fined for cargo cartel
Canberra, Australia - Penalties around 11 million Australian dollars
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) fined Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines in the range of the investigation about the airlines which, between 2000 and 2006, formed a... more
AirlinesMaltese court: "The WindJet aircraft must remain here"
Valletta, Malta - The judge rejects the claim of the leasing company
Maltese First Hall of Civil Courts ordered that the Airbus A-320/211, aircraft which was part of the WindJet fleet, nut is owned by an Irish leasing company, must remain in the island in the Mediterranean... more
Weather forecastsItaly. Bad weather: alert for rains and snow in the week-end
Rome, Italy - A first bulletin for adverse conditions has been issued
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, has issued a first bulletin for unfavourable weather conditions. The notice indicates snowfalls on the northern regions,... more
Civil aviationBad weather in Europe: aircraft grounded at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam, Netherlands - KLM offers to its passengers an alternative ground transportation service
Problems are continuing for air transport in Europe because of the poor weather conditions which are hitting the continent in these days: today, Friday 7 December 2012, it is Amsterdam-Schiphol's turn,... more
Civil aviationAircraft and airlines. "IATA Airline Industry Forecast 2012-2016": 3,6 billion passengers in 2016
Geneva, Switzerland - 800 million more than the 2.8 billion passengers carried by airlines in 2011
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released an industry traffic forecast showing that airlines expect to welcome some 3.6 billion passengers in 2016. That’s about 800 million more than t... more
AirlinesAircraft and carriers. IAG (BA and Iberia): figures in November 2012
London, UK - Traffic and strategic developments
Iag Group (Iberia and British Airways) released the figures in November 2012. The highlights are: - In November 2012, Group traffic measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres rose by 3.6 per cent... more