AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,325 news found
AirlinesAircraft and finance. EC starts in-depth investigation on Ryanair-Aer Lingus merger
Brussels, Belgium - "Preliminary investigation indicated potential competition concerns"
The European Commission decided on Wednesday 29/08/2012 to start an in-depth investigation in order to verify if the possible acquisition of Aer Lingus by Ryanair is capable of creating competition-related... more
Civil aviationETS: Europe is not alone in its fight against aircraft carbon emissions
Sydney, Australia - "A significant achievement for both Europe and Australia"
Europe is not alone in its Emission Trading Scheme (or System), the programme which aims to create a new carbon emission market to reduce air pollution. The federal government of Australia has signed... more
CuriositiesSupposed Vueling aircraft hijacking (7): the same flight involved in a scramble one year ago (VIDEO)
AMsterdam, Netherlands - Also in that occasion the reason was a radio problem
The episode of the supposed hijacking of a Vueling Amsterdam-bound aircraft departed from Malaga fortunately ended without any consequence: radio communications between the airplane and the control tower... more
Civil aviationGermania Express as new IACA member
Brussels, Belgium - The carrier was founded in 2010 and based in Berlin
IACA (International Air Carrier Association) today announced that German carrier, Germania Express, has joined the association as a full member. Germania Express (formerly Flynext) was founded in 2010.... more
Civil aviationAerolíneas Argentinas joins SkyTeam as 18th member
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Alliance welcomes first South American airline and continues to focus on finding growth opportunities on the continent
SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, today welcomes Aerolíneas Argentinas as its 18th member. The national airline of Argentina – South America’s second largest economy - Aerolíneas Argentinas becomes SkyTe... more
ReportVueling aircraft, flight VY8366 (5): local police denies hijacking reports
Schiphol, Netherlands - "Only a mis-communication between the pilot and the control tower"
The situation of the Vueling flight VY8366 is still not clear. The aircraft took off from Malaga and landed at Schiphol, where local special forces and ambulances were waiting around the runway. In... more
ReportVueling airplane (4): contrasting news from Amsterdam about the alleged hijacking
Amsterdam, Netherlands - Airport press office and counter-terrorism coordinator neither confirms nor denies
Contrasting news are coming from Amsterdam about the alleged hijacking of a Vueling aircraft which is currently at Schiphol airport of the Dutch capital after it has been escorted on the ground by two... more
Civil aviationTransport by airplane. Airbus and China make a push for alternative fuels
Toulouse, France - Speeding up the commercialisation and production
Airbus and one of the world’s leading academic institutions, Tsinghua University have formed a partnership to complete a sustainability analysis of Chinese feedstocks, and to evaluate how best to support t... more
ReportVueling aircraft suspected hijacking (3): the carrier denies reports
Schiphol, Netherlands - Local broadcaster spoke with a passenger on board
The Dutch military police confirmed the Vueling aircraft is now surrounded, and reportedly parked at a remote corner of Schiphol Airport, about two km from the main terminal. Special forces, security personnel... more
ReportConfirmations come: Vueling aircraft at Amsterdam (6) not hijacked
Amsterdam, Netherlands - Dutch police clarifies: "Just a miscommunication"
Dutch police has confirmed that nothing unusual happened on the Vueling aircraft which has been in the middle of an alleged hijacking today's afternoon: the alarm has been generated, according to reports... more
ReportVueling suspected hijacking (2): aircraft doors are still closed
Schiphol, Netherlands - SWAT ready for action on the runway
Two Dutch F-16 fighter aircraft immediately scrambled the Vueling flight to Amsterdam. The flight took off from Malaga. A scramble mission is when one or more military aircraft are forced to an immediate... more
ReportAircraft and defence: Russia ready to reduce its nuclear arsenal
Moscow, Russia - New summit in Vladivostok scheduled next week
Controversies about the European missile shield between Russian and the United States continue. According to press reports, the reduction of the Russian nuclear arsenal is strictly connected with the deployment... more
ReportSyrian civil war: "We fight against aircraft with Kalashnikovs and Rpgs"
Damascus, Syria - A single AK-47 costs USD 2,400
Daily reports on the clashes between the President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite troops and many rebel groups in Syria (united under the "Free Syrian Army" flag) fill the first pages of international newspapers... more
SecurityAlleged hijacking of Vueling aircraft: Dutch fighters scramble
Amsterdam, Netherlands - The pilot has not made any radio contact once entered in the Dutch airspace
The website "Nu.nl" reported news of a scramble by two F-16 of the Dutch Air Force for an aircraft of the Spanish company Vueling. The fighters have taken off from Volkel Air Base and intercepted the... more
AirlinesAirAsia achieves very good results and plans 100-Airbus-aircraft purchase
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Revenue growing by 9% in the second quarter
AirAsia Berhad, one of the most important Asian low-cost companies, posted very good results in the second quarter of 2012, and it is planning a strong expansion of its aircraft fleet. Revenue in the... more
Civil aviationProblems at the air traffic controls affect Tallinn Airport
Tallinn, Estonia - Aircraft allowed to take off under visual flight rules
A problem to the air traffic control system is affecting the activities of Tallinn International Airport, Estonia. Lauri Linnamäe, a spokesperson of the Baltic hub, has declared to the website "Uudised"... more
SecurityAircraft and security. Edinburgh and Glasgow airports to introduce body-scanners
Edinburgh, United Kingdom - "The scan is quick, simple and safe"
Edinburgh and Glasgow International Airports, the two busiest hubs in Scotland and among the most trafficked in the United Kingdom, will introduce body-scanners among their security measures starting from... more
IndustryF-35 airplane at the Eglin base: achieved 100 flights in 44 days
Eglin, Usa - The 200th combined sortie completed
Picking Up the Pace: In a sign the Lightning II is progressing forward, US Marine Corps Maj. Joseph Bachmann, pilot, VMFAT-501, completed the 33rd Fighter Wing's 200th combined Air Force A variant and... more
Civil aviationAirbus deal with Philippine Airlines secures 6000 jobs
London, United Kingdom - Celebration at Broughton, Cheshire
The billion pound contract signed between the popular European aircraft maker Airbus and Philippine Airlines has brought new hope to English workers. Airbus is one of the largest airliner-makers worldwide.... more
Military aviationPoland deploys its last second-hand C-130 aircraft
Warsaw, Poland - First Hercules squadron becomes operational
The Polish Air Force has recently purchased five second-hand C-130E tactical transport turboprop aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin. The aircraft were previously in service under the United States Air... more
UAS-DronesIndia will choose new mini-UAV soon
Delhi, India - "Elbit Systems with its Skylark is always present"
As well-known, India is one of the largest military purchasers worldwide. The last declarations from New Delhi revealed a new billion dollar tender which aims to order a large batch of mini-UAVs (Unmanned... more
ReportResentment against Vladimir Putin: 58 planes and helicopters for private use
Moscow, Russia - "I hope that after this report people believing that Putin is a thief will approach 70%"
Boris Nemtsov, a Russian opposition leader, has denounced Vladimir Putin's lavish spending as "An affront to millions of Russians living in dire poverty". This recent investigation reports that the Russian... more
AirlinesEasyJet adds new aircraft in its Manchester base
Manchester, Uinted Kingdom - The company's fleet at the airport arrives to seven airplanes
EasyJet, one of the most important European low-cost companies, means to increase its presence at Manchester International Airport, adding and new aircraft to the fleet which is already based in the hub. In... more
SecurityPhilippine Airlines aircraft involved in a bird-strike: 10 ducks sucked into an engine
Tacloban, Philippines - The episode is under investigation by the Filipino authorities
A Philippine Airlines aircraft was involved in a bird-strike during the morning of Wednesday 29/08/2012, forcing the pilots to perform an emergency landing. Flight PR191 operated by the Asian company... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. WWII bomb causes inconvenience at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam, Netherlands - Part of the hub closed as a security measure
A World War II bomb has been found inside Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport, one of the busiest hubs in Europe in the morning of Wednesday 29/08/2012. The explosive device has been discovered... more
SecurityFAA announces plans for industry working group to study portable electronics usage on airplanes
Washington, Usa - The group will not consider the airborne use of cell phones for voice communications during flight
Given the widespread consumer use of portable electronic devices (PEDs), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is forming a government-industry group to study the current PED policies and procedures... more
ReportIsrael: controversies with Egypt continues. Preventive air strike against Hamas
Tel Aviv, Israel - Attack helicopter hit three facilities
The campaign against Sinai terrorists, launched by Egypt after an attack on a checkpoint, has raised the firing of rockets against South Israel from Gaza. Israel, which already stopped the attack against... more
IndustryAircraft and industry: India signs deal for local production of Russian weapons
Delhi, India - "Delhi is one of the best international customers for the arms sale"
Today August 28, 2012, Russia and India signed an agreement to manage a joint-venture for the production of modern munitions for the Indian army. The news was reported by a high-ranking source in the Indian... more
CuriositiesForklift driver who caused 1.2 million pounds in damage to an aircraft fined 250 pounds
London, United Kingdom - The collision happened in June at London-Heathrow Airport
A forklift driver at London-Heathrow Airport was fined 250 pounds (roughly 314 Euro or 394 dollars) after crashing his vehicle into a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) aircraft, causing 1.2-million-pound worth... more
ReportRussian Pacific Fleet warships visit Japanese naval air base
Moscow, Russia - New naval exercise between the two countries is expected soon
A detachment of the Russian Pacific Fleet paid a short official visit to the Japan naval base of Maizuru today August 28, 2012. The news was reported by a Russian fleet spokesman. The warships took... more
Civil aviationEtihad Airways signs code-share with China Eastern Airlines
Abu Dhabi, UAE - This is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s 37th agreement
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed a code-share agreement with China Eastern Airlines. The new agreement is the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s 37th code-share. I... more
Civil aviationTropical storm "Isaac": aircraft grounded at New Orleans
New Orleans, USA - Criticism by American Airlines: "We could have kept flying for a big chunk of the day"
Tropical storm "Isaac", after Florida, is still affecting civil aviation in the United States: New Orleans "Louis Armstrong" Airport will remain closed on Tuesday 28/08/2012. The measure which involves... more
HelicoptersBell delivers first 429 EMS helicopter in Europe
Fort Worth, Usa - To Air Zermatt, in Switzerland
Bell Helicopter announced the delivery of the first 429 configured for emergency medical services (EMS) in Europe to Air Zermatt in Switzerland. Air Zermatt, in need of a rugged and reliable aircraft for... more
HelicoptersMil Mi-38 helicopter wins new world altitude record
Moscow, Russia - It will replace the aging fleet of Mil Mi-17
The Russian Mil Mi-38 helicopter has set a new altitude record in its class . The aircraft is still a pre-production model, and its entering into service is expected in 2015. This helicopter is conceived... more
Civil aviationJAA TO and RMIT sign MoU on Aviation English Language education
Hoofddorp, Holland - This MoU will lead to a more formal Agreement
The Joint Aviation Authorities Training Organisation (JAA TO) and RMIT Training Pty Ltd t/a RMIT English Worldwide (REW), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) initialising their cooperation in delivering... more
ReportConfusion among controllers behind the case of the American Airlines 777 airliner
Washington, USA - The aircraft risked an air collision with two C-17s
Some time ago a potential tragedy was avoided by a whisker. A squadron composed of two US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III tactical transport aircraft made a close encounter with an American Airlines... more
AirlinesLufthansa-flight attendant union talks collapse: a strike seems to be unavoidable
Frankfurt, Germany - Employees could down tools anytime from Wednesday 29 August
Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation (UFO), the union which represents 18,000 Lufthansa flight attendants, has communicated the collapse of the talks with the German company (AVIONEWS), and has then... more
IndustryEmbraer Legacy 650 business jet receives HALTO certification
São José dos Campos , Brazil - "The Legacy 650 will now be able to serve airports located at altitudes up to 13,357ft"
Embraer, the popular Brazilian aircraft-maker, has reported its Legacy 650 business jet has received the High Altitude Landing and Takeoff Operation (HALTO) certification. It should be said that Embraer... more
IndustryPhilippine Airlines places major order for Airbus aircraft
Blagnac, France - The carrier selects A-321 and A-330 under fleet renewal programme
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has placed a firm order with Airbus covering 34 A-321ceo, 10 A-321neo and 10 A-330/300s. The aircraft are being purchased under a major fleet modernisation programme at the airline,... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. New Doha Airport opening delayed
Doha, Qatar - Inauguration postponed to the second half of 2013
The opening to the general public of the New Doha International Airport in Qatar will not happen before the second half of 2013, as confirmed in an interview released to "Moodie Report" by the head of... more
AirlinesAircraft and transport. Summit in Catania today to talk about the situation on Wind Jet
Catania, Italy - Prefecture, Region Sicily and unions are involved
A summit regarding the situation of the Sicilian low-cost company Wind Jet and of the workers involved in the carrier's crisis, roughly 800 among employees and satellite workers, is scheduled in the morning... more
Press releaseAlitalia first European carrier to sell airline extras to agencies through Sabre
Rome, Italy - For pre-paid baggage and lounge access
Sabre Travel Network, a global technology company serving travel agencies and suppliers, has signed a multi-year agreement with Alitalia to sell its ancillary products to Sabre travel agents in Italy,... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. Ryanair seeks help from its competitors to buy Aer Lingus
Dublin, Ireland - The low-cost carrier asks to six companies to improve connections from Dublin
Michael O'Leary, Ryanair chief executive officer, wants to leave no stone unturned in order to manage to acquire Aer Lingus: the last, almost incredible, move is seeking competitors' help, on the eve of... more
AerospaceCuriosity continues its research and uses its ChemCam
Washington, USA - Mast-mounted laser vaporised a rock
Curiosity, the NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, has started its research immediately after its landing on the planet surface. Today the rover used one of its main instruments for the first time: the ChemCam,... more
Civil aviationRyanair "Cuts" aircraft from Verona: is it due to the conflict with the management firm?
Verona, Italy - Sixteen flights per week less
The timing could obviously generate some suspicion, but since there is not an official announcement it is impossible to know it for certain: the only sure thing is that, apparently, several flights of... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. Greek crisis hits Athens Airport: -11.8% in the first seven months of 2012
Athens, Greece - 13.6% downturn for international passengers
The very heavy economic crisis which is hitting Greece is affecting negatively the aviation industry of the Southern-European country, and particularly the most important Hellenic hub, that is Athens "Elefthérios... more
HelicoptersCalstar orders eight EC-135 helicopters
Grand Prairie, Usa - To standardize its fleet
American Eurocopter announced that California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR), with headquarters at McClellan, CA, has agreed to purchase up to eight EC-135 helicopters. CALSTAR operates nine full-time... more
SecurityUS Department of Transport: "FAA is inadequate to prevent bird-strikes"
Washington, USA - Episodes have grown fivefold since 1990
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration, the highest authority for civil aviation in the United States) does not carry on proper inspection practices for bird-strike prevention, according to a report... more
Press releaseAlitalia: another 3142 passengers of Wind Jet transported on special flights made in three days (August 25-26-27)
Rome, Italy - The airline will continue to serve them until September 16"
"The special flights served on August 25, 26 and 27 have been 42 on which another 3142 passengers of Wind Jet have been transported. Alitalia has rescheduled until this morning a total of 16.286 travellers... more
AirlinesGulf Air records positive business performance in the first half of 2012
Manama, Bahrain - Airline’s current fleet is one of the youngest in the region with 4.7 years average
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, posted significant improvements in its 2012 half yearly performance against the same period last year across its business operations indicating... more