AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,366 news found

AirlinesLiverpool: easyJet expands its routes
Liverpool, UK - Thanks to the 9th based aircraft
The British airline easyJet has commenced three new services this week from Liverpool-"John Lennon" airport (JLA) as part of their expansion of routes, following the arrival of their ninth aircraft to... more

Fair and showsBoeing unveils its briefing schedule for "Paris Air Show 2009"
Paris, France - Paris-Le Bourget, 15-21 June
Boeing outlined its presentation schedule for the "Paris Air Show", which begins later this month and is marking its 100th anniversary this year. Boeing's defense showcase will include a daily flying... more

AccidentsAir France disaster: Iberia flight avoided storm
Madrid, Spain - Super-hail-tempest hypothesis gets credit
The storm that might have been the cause of Mondays accident to the Air France Airbus A-330/200, flight AF447, that ditched in the Atlantic with 228 people on board, could possibly be avoided. This according... more

AirlinesAir New Zealand to reduce its Hong Kong-London services
Auckland, New Zealand - To face difficult market conditions
Air New Zealand might reduce its Hong Kong-London frequencies starting from September to face the difficult conditions of the market. The carrier's plan would be to bring flights on this route down to... more

Military aviationThe Venezuelan President announces Mirage 50's retirement
Caracas, Venezuela - The updating version of the Mirage 5
The Venezuelan President has announced yesterday the final retirement of Mirage 50 EV/DV airplanes of the Aviacion Militar Nacional Bolivariana that have operated with the Grupo Aereo de Caza n°11 El... more

AccidentsGreek Air Force F-16 crash. Pilot ejected safely
Ioannina, Greece - The accident possibly caused by a bird-strike
A Greek Air Force F-16C block 50 Fighting Falcon crashed Thursday morning during a training mission. The pilot, expert with more than 1,200 flight hours, managed to eject safely. The accident occurred... more

AirlinesTAP launches IATA’s carbon offset program
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Passengers involved in this project
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched its global Carbon Offset Program with TAP Portugal. The IATA-administered industry-wide scheme is a ready-made tool enabling airlines to offer... more

AirlinesAlitalia: hardships in Linate for the presence of birds on the runway
Milan, Italy - The take off and landing operations are suffering suspensions
"Alitalia informs that also today the take off and landing operations at Milan-Linate's airport are suffering suspensions, due to the birds' presence on the runway. Alitalia apologizes with its own... more

Fair and showsLockheed Martin's briefing schedule for "Paris Air Show 2009"
Paris, France - Paris-Le Bourget, 15-21 June
Lockheed Martin released its media briefing schedule for the 2009 "Paris Air Show". Briefings will take place in the Lockheed Martin Press Center, Lockheed Martin Chalet, Row A, No. 397, unless otherwise... more

SecurityFAA Emergency AD on Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engine (2009-12-51)
Washington, Usa - To prevent uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, possible engine fire, and an emergency autorotation landing
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 Directorate Identifier 2009-NE-17-AD;... more

AccidentsAirbus A-330 Air France: Brazil denies debris recovery
Recife, Brazil - The cause of the accident still a mystery
Denying what earlier communicated the Brazilian navy stated that the debris recovered do not belong to the Air France Airbus A-330/200 that crashed on Monday while flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris (see... more

Defense"Admiral Gorshkov" aircraft carrier: deal between Russia and India getting close
New Delhi, India - The ship is scheduled for delivery in 2012
Russia and India might reach a final deal on modernization costs for the Kiev class "Admiral Gorshkov" aircraft carrier in July, Indian newspaper "The Hindu Times" reported today. The vessel is scheduled... more

AirportsFlyOnAir starts operations from Pisa to Bucharest
Pisa, Italy - From June 5, once a week (frequency will double from July 6)
FlyOnAir is focused on Eastern Europe. After Kiev (Ukraine), Lviv (Ukraine) and Katovice (Poland), starting from tomorrow, June 5, the airline will fly from Pisa to Bucharest-Banease on Friday (and from... more

AirlinesZest Airways expands its fleet
Manila, Philippines - With an order for six new MA-60s made to Xi’an Aircraft Industry
Philippine regional carrier Zest Airways, founded in March 2008 after AMY Holdings Corporation (AHC) acquired 99.6% of Asian Spirit Inc, decided to expand its fleet placing an order for six MA-60s to Chinese... more

AirlinesUnited Airlines might order up to 150 new aircraft
Chicago, USA - Requests sent both to Boeing and Airbus
United Airlines might order a "Significant number" of new aircraft to renew its fleet. The carrier sent requests both to Airbus and Boeing and is now waiting for the two manufacturers to send their proposals,... more

Press releaseAF447 Flight: Italian ANSV proposes an its own investigator in technical inquiry of French BEA
Rome, Italy - Regarding to the accident of last June 1st
"The ANSV (Italian Air Safety Board) informs to have proposed an its own investigator as expert in the technical inquiry led by French BEA (Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses pour la sécurité de l’aviation civile),... more

IndustryAfrijet Airlines inks heads of agreement for 4 ATR-72/500s
Toulouse, France - In a deal worth USD 80 million
Nigerian carrier Afrijet Airlines and ATR today announced the signature of a HoA (Heads of Agreement) for the purchase of 4 ATR-72/500s, in a deal worth USD 80 million. The agreement was inked on the occasion... more

AirlinesDelta Air Lines and Air France-KLM inaugurate tomorrow non-stop service between Rome and Detroit
Rome, Italy - With an Airbus A-330
"Delta Air Lines and Air France KLM begins tomorrow daily non-stop service between Rome’s 'Leonardo da Vinci' Fiumicino Airport and Detroit’s 'Wayne County Metropolitan Airport'. This service, part of... more

AirlinesAir India will replace its Airbus A-320s
Mumbai, India - With new A-318 and A-321 airplanes
Air India might sell some of its aging Airbus A-320s within its fleet renewal process. The aircraft that will be sold are eleven; further eleven are the leased ones that will be returned to their owners.... more

ReportThe two American journalists detained in North Korea go to trial
Pyongyang, North Korea - They might be used as bargaining chips
The trial to the two American journalists detained in North Korea should be currently underway. Euna Lee and Laura Ling had been arrested in mid-March for crossing the Chinese border and charged of espionage... more

Press releaseRyanair: "Belgian air traffic controllers hold passengers to ransom"
Brussels, Belgium - "Walk off the job causes flights cancellations at Brussels-Charleroi"
"Ryanair today (4th June) condemned the selfish decision by Belgian Air Traffic Control (Belgocontrol) to effectively close Brussels South Charleroi Airport without warning, affecting the travel plans... more

AerospaceThe number of active GLONASS satellites grows to 17
Moscow, Russia - Three are still undergoing maintenance operations
The number of active satellites in the GLONASS (GLObal NAvigation Satellite System) constellation has grown to 17. GLONASS is the Russian equivalent of GPS (Global Positioning System). Roscosmos, the Russian... more

Civil aviationAlessio Quaranta, new Italian ENAC's General Manager, installed today
Rome, Italy - He replaces outgoing Silvano Manera
The new general manager of ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority), Alessio Quaranta, is in service today. He was appointed by the decree of Premier as planned by the institutive law of the Board. "The... more

AccidentsAF447 air disaster: new debris found
Paris, France - Could be a piece of wing, a part of the fuselage, a part of the tail
A reconnaissance Embraer R-99 FAB (Forca Aerea Brasileira) aircraft found new debris in the Atlantic ocean, near the area of the accident that occurred on Monday to Air France's flight AF447 en route from... more

AirlinesAir Dolomiti and Munich Airport sponsors of the Italian gardens
Ronchi dei Legionari, Italy - The airline will invite to make a flight by balloon
"Air Dolomiti, Italian regional airline of Lufthansa Group and member of Lufthansa Regional, and Munich's International airport choose the Italian gardens as theme to promote marketing activity in 2009. The... more

AirportsSt. Louis, bonds will pay for infrastructure projects
St.Louis, Usa - For a total of 125 million Dollars
The City of St. Louis will seek an estimated 125 million Dollars in airport bond funding for major capital improvement projects to restore and renovate facilities at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.... more

Civil aviationIATA, aviation leaders gather in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - From 7 to 9 June
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 65th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 7-9 June 2009 will feature participation... more

AccidentsHelicopter crash in Venezuela: 5 victims
Caracas, Venezuela - It seems caused by bad weather
A Bell 407 helicopter crashed yesterday in Venezuela, it seems due to bad weather. The accident claimed the lives of five people, all the occupants of the aircraft, local newspapers reported today quoting... more

AirlinesIberia: possible merger with Air France or Lufthansa?
Madrid, Spain - Alternative hypothesis to the union with British Airways
Iberia might consider the possibility of a merger with Air France or Lufthansa, even if at the moment no discussions have been opened on this matter. The Spanish national carrier stated that it is reflecting... more

Military aviationLockheed Martin will produce 17 F-35s in the third production lot
Forth Worth, USA - Under a $2.1 billion contract
Lockheed Martin announced yesterday that the United States Department of Defense has awarded it a $2.1 billion contract modification to produce 17 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters in the third lot of... more

AerospaceNASA getting ready for space shuttle Endeavour's launch
Cape Canaveral, USA - Scheduled lift-off on June 13 to carry the crew of mission STS-127 to the ISS
The last preliminary reviews to space shuttle Endeavour's launch have been completed yesterday. NASA confirmed that lift-off will take place on June 13 at 7:17 am EDT (11:17 am GMT) from Kennedy Space... more

DefenseCSTO to organize military drills in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus
Minsk, Belarus - Between August and September as a reaction to those held by NATO in Georgia
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will hold, between August and September, a wide series of joint military exercises organized by CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization). Belarusian defense minister,... more

SecurityMexico grounds Aviacsa Airlines for irregularities on 25 aircraft
Monterrey, Mexico - The carrier denies safety problems
Mexican ministry of transports and communication decided to ground Aviacsa Airlines due to irregularities found in the maintenance process of its 25 aircraft. Actually the note only concerns the 25 quoted... more

Civil aviationICAO, a group of governments develops action plan to tackle emissions
Montreal, Canada - It recommends a goal of 2% annual improvement in fuel efficiency
An aggressive plan of action proposed by a group of government representatives created by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to address climate change and aviation includes a significant... more

IndustryCirrus increases production and expands staff
Duluth, USA - Up to 50 furloughed employees might be called back
Cirrus Aircraft notified its employees that, thanks to continued strong demand for its entire product line and to the associated increase in its new aircraft production rate to eight aircraft per week,... more

AccidentsFlight AF447, Jobim: "In-flight explosion unlikely"
Paris, France - More debris from Air France's Airbus A-330 found
Brazilian defence minister, Nelson Jobim, yesterday stated that according to a first analysis an in-flight explosion is rather unlikely. This theory had been borne out by the finding of new debris belonging... more

AccidentsUral's air disaster: investigation board unveils final report
Moscow, Russia - Low mainteinance, technical problems and pilot's inebriation the causes
The investigation board that studied September 14, 2008, accident occurred to an Aeroflot B-737 aircraft that had taken off from Moscow and had crashed near Perm airport, in the Ural Mountains, issued... more

Military aviationLockheed Martin and AFRL complete Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft tests
Palmdale, USA - Based on a Dornier 328J
Lockheed Martin and the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) yesterday successfully conducted the initial demonstration flight of the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA). This flight marks the final and... more

HelicoptersUS Navy won't fly the VH-71 helicopter
Washington, Usa - The Department of Defense cancelled the contract with Lockheed Martin and AgustaWestland
The Department of Defense and US Naval Air Systems Command cancelled the contract for the construction of the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter program. Both the Department of Defense and NAVAIR issued... more

HelicoptersProblems for Erickson Air-Crane
Portland, USA - 14 logging support workers fired
Erickson Air-Crane (EAC) was recently forced to cut several jobs. The last case concerns the logging support department from which 14 people have been fired due to a fall in wood products' demand. For... more

HelicoptersRussian aviation Mi-8 helicopters in Afghanistan
Moscow, Russia - For medical and humanitarian transport missions
Russia might send two Mil Mi-8 Hip helicopters to Afghanistan for humanitarian support missions, in particular for medical transport. The announcement was made today by Yury Brazhnikov, head of Russian... more

Military aviationNew refuelling system for A-330 MRTT aircraft
Madrid, Spain - Flight tests completed with a Spanish F/A-18A+ fighter
Airbus Military's, EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), A-330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) aircraft has completed another major milestone performing successfully a series of dry... more

Civil aviationACI, passenger traffic showing signs of improvement
Geneva, Switzerland - But it is too early to talk about a recovery
In April 2009 worldwide passenger traffic growth as reported to ACI - the worldwide association of airports -shows a decrease of 3% relative to the results in April 2008. For the month, international passenger... more

AerospaceESA: XMM-Newton takes astronomers to a black hole’s edge
Rome, Italy - A supermassive black hole lying deep at the core of a distant active galaxy
Using new data from ESA’s XMM-Newton spaceborne observatory, astronomers have probed closer than ever to a supermassive black hole lying deep at the core of a distant active galaxy. The galaxy – kno... more

Military aviationMalaysia to retire its MiG-29 fighters
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Due to the problems that the aircraft had through the years
Malaysia is going to gradually retire its fleet of MiG-29 fighters in the next 5 years. The decision has been taken by the defence ministry of Kuala Lumpur due to the problems suffered by these type of... more

Sport aviationIcon Aircraft successfully completed water testing for the Icon A-5
Los Angeles, Usa - Deliveries are scheduled to begin in late 2010
"ICON Aircraft, an early stage Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) manufacturer (www.iconaircraft.com), officially completed a series of rigorous hydrostatic and hydrodynamic tests on the ICON A-5 Amphibious Sport... more

IndustryEmbraer delivers 1,100th ERJ-145 family aircraft
São José dos Campos, Brazil - Historic landmark is set by a Legacy 600 executive jet
"Embraer delivered the 1,100th aircraft of the ERJ-145 jet family, last week, in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The airplane is a Legacy 600 executive jet, a model which has reached over 160 deliveries t... more

HelicoptersAgustaWestland awarded "Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy"
Cascina Costa, Italy - For the official world speed record by a Grand helicopter in 2008
"In a ceremony at the AHS International annual forum, AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, was awarded the Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy. The award was made to AgustaWestland as recognition... more

SecurityFAA AD on Learjet model 45 airplanes (2009-11-13)
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct chafed hydraulic tubes in the left-hand engine and consequent hydraulic tube failure and uncontrolled loss of flammable fluid within the engine cowling, which could result in a fire
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: June 2, 2009 [Page 26288-26291] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more

SecurityFAA AD on McDonnell Douglas model MD-90-30 airplanes (2009-11-11)
Washington, Usa - To prevent possible damage to the fuel level float or pressure switch wires and could become a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank, and could result in a fuel tank explosion and loss of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: June 2, 2009 [Page 26291-26293] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more