AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,325 news found
AerospaceESA: first launch in 2015 by VEGA
Rome, Italy - The liftoff of IXV for a suborbital flight to test technologies and critical systems
An annotated timeline of the most critical events during the IXV mission. ESA’s wingless spaceplane is set for liftoff on a Vega rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, 11 February 2015. ESA’s Intermediate eXp... more
Civil aviationAirplanes and inquiries: hypothesized the requisition of assets for the suspected pilots in the Italian INPS scam
Rome, Italy - The institution had already asked to start investigations in 2012
The story continues about the aircraft pilots in layoffs in Italy, that continued to work abroad for foreign airlines (see for details AVIONEWS). The Italian Financial Police told the Court of Auditors... more
PeopleExclusive by AVIONEWS: interview to the General Manager of Air Canada-Italy (VIDEO)
Rome, Italy - Umberto Solimeno explained the reasons of a great success
AVIONEWS has interviewed (exclusive) Umberto Solimeno, General Manager of Air Canada for Italy. He explained the reasons of a great success and the "Snuggles" by Air Canada and Rouge. Below, the... more
AirlinesAirplanes and compensations. The legal battle continues between low-cost carriers and passengers
Rome, Italy - Civil Aviation Authority: "Some airlines continue to put these claims on hold, which means a further delay for passengers"
It's still continuing the struggle between a coalition of low-cost airlines and thousands of passengers waiting to receive compensation due to delays or cancellation of flights. The case began in Britain,... more
IndustryAirbus: Nepal Airlines received first A-320 airplane
Toulouse, France - It is equipped with Sharklets
Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has taken delivery of the first A-320 aircraft sporting a new striking company livery and equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices a... more
AirlinesAircraft and costs. Lufthansa writes to its staff: the personnel expense is too high
Cologne, Germany - ...Compared to the competitors, and announces cuts
The top management of Lufthansa sent a letter to its employees informing them that the personnel expense is too high compared to the competitors, and the company's competitiveness is suffering. The... more
IndustryGerman Air Force takes delivery of A-400M Full Flight Simulator
Madrid, Spain - The GAF took delivery of its first airplane on 18th December 2014
The German Air Force (GAF) has taken delivery of a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for the A-400M aircraft provided by Airbus Defence and Space (DS). The training device entered service at Wunstorf Air... more
Airports"The airport of Bari-Palese becomes more important", according to the President of Puglia Region, Niki Vendola
Bari, Italy - A futuristic and sustainable building
The airport of Bari doubled its structure; There will be be six new boarding lounges in a futuristic building that will open on February 21. On the topic the President of the Region of Puglia Nichi... more
Civil aviationAircraft and inquiries. Italian INPS: new details about pilots fraud
Rome, Italy - The investigation is just at the beginning and will have many wider implications
The 36 aircraft pilots charged yesterday in Rome are only the tip of the iceberg: the INPS (the Italian social security service) scam being investigated by Italian Financial Police would see many more... more
AirlinesAircraft and finance: Aer Lingus takeover still on the high seas
Dublin, Ireland - Strong opposition by politicians and trade unions about the acquisition of the flag carrier by IAG
The acquisition of the Irish low-cost flag carrier Aer Lingus is becoming more and more complex; International Airline Group (IAG, the holding company which owns British Airways and Iberia) is facing strong... more
Weather forecastsBad weather: snow and rain continue to disrupt American air traffic
San Francisco, USA - Boston and San Francisco among the most affected cities
The wave of bad weather continues in the United States; in all the Country's airports, cancelled flights continue to be thousands. Particularly affected the State of New England and the entire "West Coast". In... more
Science and technologyEtihad Airways wins award for cabin technology innovations
Abu Dhabi, UAE - The ceremony took place at the "Aircraft Interiors Middle East "xpo" in Dubai
Etihad Airways has been presented with the "2015 Airline of the Year" award by IFEC and cabin technology magazine "Inflight". The Inflight awards ceremony took place at the "Aircraft Interiors Middle East... more
Civil aviationAirplanes. Guatemala: returned the alarm for the eruption of the "Fuego" volcano. Now the traffic is regular (VIDEO)
Guatemala City, Guatemala - Ceased after 22 hours the period of maximum activity
Last night - 8 February- the alarm for the eruption of the volcano "Fuego" in Guatemala has finally returned and now the airplanes can fly again. To declare it, was David de Leon spokesman for the National... more
Press releaseAirplanes and State aid: European Commission closes preliminary investigation into alleged aid to Alitalia
Brussels, Belgium - In October 2013 the EC opened it
The European Commission has closed its preliminary investigation to assess whether measures in favour of Alitalia constitute state aid. In October 2013 the Commission opened a preliminary investigation... more
Civil aviationAircraft. IATA welcomes ICAO Tracking Standard Recommendation ("Specials" by AVIONEWS)
Montreal, Canada - The HLSC/2 held in Montreal from 2-5 February 2015
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Second High Level Safety Conference (HLSC/2) to move towards the adoption... more
Civil aviationAirplanes. Air control service improvements over Europe to receive EU support
Brussels, Belgium - The project is to be completed by the end of 2015
The EU's TEN-T Programme will invest almost €2 million in studies towards common European centralised air control services with the aim to improve their performance. The studies will prepare the development a... more
IndustryMoretti to "Finalncial Times": "3000 fewer employees"
Rome, Italy - "When I can present the first robust balance sheet, based on strong figure, then I can change the brand"
Interviewed by "Financial Times", the CEO of Finmeccanica Mauro Moretti spoke once again of the business plan and the renewal of the Group with state participation. He said to want to reduce the number... more
Press releaseItalian ENAC: "GEN-05" circular on "Assistance plan for victims of aircraft crashes and their families" presented to ICAO
Rome, Italy - Yesterday at the end of the second conference on safety took place in Montreal from February 2 to 5
"The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) has presented its own circular named 'GEN-05 Assistance plan for victims of aircraft crashed and their families'. It was explained yesterday, on February 5,... more
AccidentsATR-72/600 plane crash in Taiwan: the engines, both failed, the cause of the disaster (VIDEO)
Taipei, Taiwan - 35 victims, recovered the body of the pilot-hero
Recovered the body of Liao Chien-tsung, the pilot of the GE235 flight tragically crashed in Taipei few minutes after the takeoff. The dead body of the pilot was found in the cockpit with his hands clasped... more
IndustryAirbus. Avianca signs a MoU for 100 A-320neo airplanes
Toulouse, France - The airline will base its fleet renewal strategy on this Family
Avianca Holdings SA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 100 A-320neo Family aircraft, in range of its fleet renewal strategy. The carrier, already an industry partner, in... more
AirlinesEven Afriqiyah Airways ceases flight connections to/from Libya
Tripoli, Libya - The Country increasingly isolated, after the abandonment of other companies
In these hours the air company Afriqiyah Airways said in a statement that it will suspend its flights from Libya to Europe; the decision was made for security reasons, and now the African state is increasingly... more
DefenseAircraft and armaments. Usa FY2016: shortened the time of the development program of the new missiles LRSO
Washington, Usa - For "Pursuing the strategic objectives in support of global strike capability of the Air Force and the functions of strategic deterrence"
Obama submitted to Congress a few days ago his plan for fiscal year 2016 (FY2016), which foresees a budget of defense around 534 billion dollars. Inside the plan is required to speed up with the program... more
HelicoptersAgustaWestland completes deliveries of Italian Police's AW-139 helicopters
Cascina Costa, Italy - Eight aircraft now in service performing their missions from five bases
Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland announced today it has completed the delivery of the Italian Police’s AW-139 intermediate twin helicopters at the end of December 2014. Deliveries started in mid-2013 and n... more
Civil aviationAirplanes. IATA: strong demand for air travel rises in 2014
Geneva, Switzerland - Capacity rose 5.6% last year
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for the full year of 2014 showing demand (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 5.9% compared to the full... more
PeopleEtihad Airways appoints vice president guest services
Abu Dhabi, UAE - It's Linda Celestino with more than 25 years's experience in the airline industry
Etihad Airways has appointed Linda Celestino as the airline’s Vice President Guest Services. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the airline industry having held senior positions in her native Aus... more
Civil aviationAircraft. IATA introduces advanced master degree in airline operations
Montreal, Canada - In partnership with the French ENAC
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the launch of an advanced aviation training program in partnership with the École nationale de l’aviation civile (ÉNAC) in Toulouse, France. Thi... more
CargoAircraft and transport. IATA: air cargo ends 2014 on a positive note
Geneva, Switzerland - The "World Cargo Symposium" will take place in Shanghai on March (10-12)
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released full-year air cargo data for 2014 showing 4.5% demand growth compared to 2013 measured by freight tonne kilometers (FTKs). That is a significant... more
IndustryFinmeccanica hearing, Moretti: "Since I’m charge the stocks are flying"?
Rome, Italy - "I’m already ripe for retirement and it still not I’ll not be long"
Promise kept. The CEO of Finmeccanica Mauro Moretti is back in an informal hearing at Commission of productive activities to present the strategic lines of the Industrial plan (see for details AVIONEWS... more
AccidentsATR-72/600 accident in Taiwan: airplane stalled, from tonight black boxes under study by investigators (VIDEO)
Taipei, Taiwan - The victims raised to 31, 12 still missing
Increases to 31 the victims of the plane crash took place yesterday in Taiwan. The count is unfortunately fated to rise because 12 passengers are still missing. The spokesman for the Fire Department... more
Press releaseFinmeccanica (2): false that reports in a weekly magazine
Rome, Italy - The Group will take all the necessary actions with the relevant authorities in order to protect its interests
"Finmeccanica reiterates that reports in the weekly magazine 'Panorama' relating to the alleged negotiations with Fincantieri for the sale of stakes in OTO Melara and WASS are false. Following further... more
Science and technologyAirplanes. Etihad Airways sees surge in fleet-wide inflight connectivity usage
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Over 60% of increase in the use of the mobile network of the airline in 2014
Etihad Airways, which next month becomes one of the few airlines in the world to offer fleet-wide inflight connectivity services, has witnessed a dramatic surge in Internet and mobile phone usage in 2014.... more
AirportsLondon City Airport: its expansion gets go-ahead
London, UK - A £200 million investment that will enable it to operate up to a 111,000 annual flights
In a step forward in easing aviation capacity in the South East, plans to expand London City Airport have been given the go-ahead. The decision, granted on Tuesday [3 February], clears the way for a... more
AirportsDHL Express inaugurated its international base in Milan-Malpensa
Milan, Italy - An EUR 3.8 million investment
DHL Express and SEA (Milan's airports management company) inaugurated yesterday the new DHL Express international hub in Milan-Malpensa. With the new hub, that manages today 12,000 consignments per... more
Press releaseFinmeccanica: clarification note relating to alleged negotiations with Fincantieri for the sale of stakes in Oto Melara and WASS
Rome, Italy - The Group denies news reported today by a weekly magazine
"Finmeccanica categorically denies news reported today by a weekly magazine, relating to alleged negotiations with Fincantieri for the sale of stakes in companies OTO Melara and WASS. As can be derived... more
AccidentsAccident ATR-72/600 Taiwan (3): recovered part of the plane. Raised the number of victims (LIVE VIDEO)
Taipei, Taiwan - A shutdown of one of the engines among the causes
The number of confirmed victims of the ATR-72/600 aircraft, flight GE235, raised to 23, while it’s still higher the number of the missing passengers; 20 passengers are, in fact, still unaccounted for. The 1... more
AirlinesAircraft and finance: the Irish Transport Minister gives his ultimatum to IAG
Dublin, Ireland - The CEO Willie Walsh will not be allowed to influence a possible sale of Aer Lingus
After the recent proposal by IAG (International Airline Group, the holding company that groups British Airways and Spain's Iberia) to representatives of the Dublin government to promote the sale of their... more
AirlinesWizz Air: the flag carrier is looking for new assets
London, UK - After the past Summer failed attempt, the Hungarian air company tries again to seek a listing
The Hungarian low-cost air company Wizz Air has announced some details of its industrial strategy for the strengthening and expansion of the carrier. The details have emerged from a statement that indicates... more
Weather forecastsAirplanes and forecast. Bad weather in Italy: alert for snowfalls on the North, storms on centre-South and strong winds on part of the Regions
Rome, Italy - An orange criticality on Campania, Emilia Romagna and Marche
The Italian Civil Defence Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, diffused an additional bulletin for adverse weather conditions. It integrates and extends that one already issued. The... more
AirlinesThe flag carrier China Eastern will inaugurate a new flight to Los Angeles
Nanjing, China - The new route was made to meet the growing demand of Chinese travellers
Starting June 30 China Eastern Airlines will offer passengers a new flight across the ocean: the route will start from Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, to Los Angeles. The trip will last about 15... more
IndustryATR statement on TransAsia’s airplane, flight GE235 (2)
Toulouse, France - The circumstances of the accident are still under investigation
ATR regrets to confirm that an ATR-72/600 operated by Taiwan’s TransAsia Airways was involved in an accident today at around 10:45 am (local time) near Taipei Songshan airport (Taiwan). The flight GE235 w... more
AirportsAirplanes and environment. Singapore: the trend of "Green" airports will start from here?
Singapore, Singapore - EUR 726 million for a stopover multipurpose that will host a huge greenhouse
The expansion project of the Singapore-Changi airport is really ambitious: in the coming years, next to the first terminal of the city-state airport, the study Safdie Architects will build a new multipurpose... more
IndustryGeneral Electric enters the helicopter market
Shannon, Ireland - The acquisition of Milestone Aviation Group is part of the expansion strategy of GE in the 2015
According to a statement diffused yesterday by General Electric, Capital Aviation Service (GECAS, a subsidiary of the same American company) bought for USD 1,7 billion Milestone Aviation Group, which is... more
Weather forecastsAirplanes and forecast, Bad weather in Italy: alert for snowfalls on the North, storms and strong winds on the South
Rome, Italy - An orange criticality on Campania, Basilicata, part of Calabria and Sardinia
The Italian Civil Defence Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, issued an additional bulletin for unfavourable weather conditions. It integrates and extends that one already diffused. The... more
IndustryEmbraer KC-390 aircraft made first flight
São José dos Campos, Brazil - Lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes
Embraer yesterday successfully performed the first flight of the new military transport and aerial refueling jet, the KC-390. Test pilots Mozart Louzada and Marcos Salgado de Oliveira Lima and flight test... more
AccidentsTaiwan: ATR-72 TransAsia Airways airplane falls into a river; currently 19 victims (VIDEO)
Rome, Italy - 58 people on board; 23 missing
This morning at 10:56 local time (3:56 am Italian time) a plane crashed north of Taipei in Keelung River after having impacted the freeway. The flight GE235 of TransAsia Airways has lost contact with... more
PeopleMauro Moretti, CEO and GM of Finmeccanica, appointed President of the Fondazione Ricerca & Imprenditorialità
Rome, Italy - A partnership between public Institutions and private enterprises
Mauro Moretti, the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Finmeccanica, has been appointed today President of the Fondazione Ricerca & Imprenditorialità, a partnership between public Institutions... more
IndustryAirplanes and photos. First A-400M for Malaysia makes its maiden flight
Seville, Spain - The flight lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes
The first of four Airbus Defence and Space A-400M new generation airlifters ordered by the Royal Malaysian Air Force has made its successful maiden flight, marking a key milestone towards delivery. The... more
ReportFinmeccanica’s CEO Moretti: absent at the process, "Sanction and forced accompanying by public Force"
Rome, Italy - Despite being on the injured side in the proceedings, he didn’t show up
The Court of Genoa has ordered the forced accompaniment to Mauro Moretti; as well as reported by the agency "Ansa" last night, it will be accompanied by the police at the next audience of the trial in... more
AirlinesJapan: the flag carrier Skymark Airlines seeks a partner to face bankruptcy
Tokyo, Japan - Ana Holdings and Japan Airlines are among the possible candidates
Continue the difficult economic situation of the Japanese flag carrier Skymark Airlines. After seeking legal protection from creditors (thanks to the Corporate Reorganisation law), the low-cost airline... more
Press releaseEtihad Airways acquires majority stake in Alitalia's "Millemiglia" program
Rome, Italy - Its third investiment. EA now operates frequent flyer programs for seven airlines around the world
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has acquired a 75 per cent stake in Alitalia Loyalty SpA, the owner and operator of "MilleMiglia", Alitalia’s frequent flyer program, w... more