AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,360 news found

AirlinesOman Air certifies CFM56-7B engines for its airplanes with the TRUEngine program
Muscat, Oman - The carrier is the latest airline to become part of it
Oman Air is the latest airline to become part of TRUEngine, qualifying all 33 CFM56-7B engines in its aircraft fleet for the program. The TRUEngine designation serves as a method for identifying engines... more

Press releaseAirplanes and carriers. Latam Airlines and subsidiaries: monthly statistics for June 2012
Santiago, Chile - The passenger traffic increased 11.5%
LATAM Airlines Group SA and its subsidiaries, (“LATAM Airlines Group” or “the Company”), one of the reference airlines in Latin America, reported its preliminary monthly traffic statistics for June 20... more

DefenseThe Pentagon cuts contracts with Rosoboronexport
Washington, USA - "Furthering contracts contradicts our nation's commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy”.
The Pentagon has cancelled all contracts between the United States and the Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport, which is claimed to be "Arming the oppressive Syrian regime”. The bill, i... more

AirlinesAer Lingus moves its aircraft in Belfast to "George Best" airport
Belfast, United Kingdom - The company ensures that the move will not cause any employment consequences
As preannounced in the past weeks by AVIONEWS, next autumn Aer Lingus will move its Belfast base from Belfast International Airport to "George Best" City Airport. The Irish carrier plans to base two... more

HelicoptersSikorsky Helitech sign Black Hawk helicopter maintenance contract with Australian Defence Force
Shelton, Usa - Valued at more than $120 million
Sikorsky Aircraft Australia Limited announced yesterday the signing of a four-year agreement with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for ongoing logistics and engineering support for the Commonwealth of... more

Civil aviationAircraft and transport: UK border staff to strike on eve of Olympics
London, United Kingdom - The risk of total chaos is concrete
All strikes generate some kind of inconvenience for the public, but the strike called by the union which represents a large share of the UK border staff on Thursday 26 July is capable of creating devastating... more

IndustryLM: United Kingdom accepts first international F-35 airplane
Fort Worth, Usa - During a ceremony with representatives of the two countries
The United Kingdom accepted the first international Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft in a ceremony with senior representatives of the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense.... more

IndustryLISA Airplanes: the AKOYA is ready for the "EAA AirVenture Oshkosh" (VIDEO)
Le Bourget du Lac, France - And it opens the order book for the S-LSA version
For its first appearance on the American grounds, LISA Airplanes ambitions to make an impression. At the "EAA AirVenture Oshkosh" show held from 23-29 July 2012 on Oshkosh’s Wittman airport (Wisconsin), L... more

AccidentsCH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter crashes in Oman: 5 people on board
Washington, USA - Crew members condition still unknown
An MH-53 Sea Dragon heavy transport military helicopter (a particular variant for the US Navy of the popular CH-53 Super Stallion) has crashed in Oman with five crew members on board. The accident, which... more

IndustryRolls-Royce congratulates UK MoD on delivery of first F-35B Lightning II aircraft
London, UK - The plane combines Stovl technology with supersonic speed and stealth capability
Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, today congratulated the UK Ministry of Defence on the delivery of their first F-35B Lightning II aircraft. The F-35B Lightning II is the only fighter... more

UAS-DronesUnited Kingdom to open new UAV test centre
London, United Kingdom - "We will improve safety, we will improve profitability"
A new test centre for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, remote-controlled drones) is expected to be opened in the United Kingdom in April 2013. The centre will be hosted by the test site of Boscombe Down,... more

AirlinesAircraft and transport: British Airways shuts down more bmi routes
London, United Kingdom - Among others, flights to Yereven, Casablanca and Riyadh are going to be closed
British Airways (BA) is continuing to eliminate several British Midland International (bmi), East Midlands airport-based carrier, which is being absorbed by the most important British airline. British... more

HelicoptersSikorsky delivers 500th ‘M’ model Black Hawk helicopter
Stratford, Usa - Divided as follows: 400 UH-60M utility configuration and 100 HH-60M MEDEVAC aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., and the US Army yesterday celebrated the delivery of the 500th H-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter. The deliveries to date comprise 400 UH-60M... more

Defense"RIMPAC 2012": Russian navy warships and helicopters take part in international drills (VIDEO)
Moscow, Russia - More than 100 aircraft, 45 vessels and 20,000 marines
A Russian navy task force has taken part in the largest naval drills worldwide, "RIMPAC 2012". During the exercise, Russian ships and aircraft have successfully completed anti-piracy operations together... more

Finance and economyAircraft and finance: Irish Exporters Association asks government not to sell Aer Lingus stake to Ryanair
Dublin, Ireland - The low-cost carrier expressed its interest for the Dublin-owned 25% stake
The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) asked the Dublin government not to accept any proposal coming from Ryanair for the purchasing of the Dublin-owned 25% Aer Lingus stake. The low-cost carrier made... more

AirportsAircraft and transport: huge investment at Gatwick over the coming years
London, United Kingdom - "In the long term a second runway may be needed"
Stewart Wingate, the London-Gatwick Airport chief executive officer, presented today the hub development masterplan. According to Wingate's figures, the growth potential of the airport is remarkable:... more

Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: thunderstorms in the North-East
Rome, Italy - A bulletin for adverse conditions issued
An Atlantic system will interest the Italian Peninsula from tomorrow, with unstable conditions: the first stormy phenomena are expected in the afternoon on the Northern regions and in particular over the... more

ReportThe threat of an aerial attack against Iran returns
Tel Aviv, Israel - Tel Aviv accuses Tehran of the terrorist bombing against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria
The front pages of almost all the major dailies worldwide have been dedicated to the bomb attack which killed 7 Israeli tourists and wounded many more in Bulgaria. Tel Aviv immediately declared it is sure... more

Civil aviationStar Alliance takes "Best Alliance" title at "Skytrax World Airline Awards" for sixth time
Frankfurt, Germany - Three of the top five airlines are its members; carriers claim a total of 19 awards
Star Alliance, the way the Earth connects, has again claimed the "Best Airline Alliance" title at the "Skytrax World Airline Awards", winning this category for the sixth time in the last seven years. In... more

AerospaceAircraft and space: NASA continues Orion capsule tests
Washington, USA - "A step toward the Red Planet"
Nasa has completed another successful test of its Orion capsule. In particular, Nasa tested the vehicle landing parachutes. The test was operated over the Arizona desert, and is part of the programme which... more

Finance and economyItalian Avio: preliminary 2012 half-year results
Rivalta di Torino, Italy - The BoD met today, has examined them
The Board of Directors of Avio SpA, which has met today, has examined the draft results for the first half of 2012. In the first half of 2012 Avio Group’s revenues were 1,132 million euros, an increase o... more

Fair and showsVulcan aircraft: the bomber will fly at the "Bournemouth Air festival" in September
Bournemouth, United Kingdom - "It is a great attractor"
The Vulcan XH558, the only flyable model of the bomber among the 134 which were produced by the British firm Avro, will make two appearances at the "Bournemouth Air Festival", scheduled between 30 August... more

IndustryAlenia Aermacchi: contract for M-346 airplanes
Rome, Italy - Signed with Israeli MoD
Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, has signed a contract with Israeli Ministry of Defence to supply 30 M-346 advanced trainer aircraft. The deal is part of a larger Government-to-Government... more

IndustryFinmeccanica: agreements with Israel for 30 M-346 airplanes and flight control systems
Rome, Italy - Worth USD 850 million
In the framework of a collaboration agreement between the Italian and Israeli governments, Finmeccanica announced today that it has signed contracts worth approximately USD 850 million through the operational... more

AirlineseasyJet launches mobile optimised website
Milan, Italy - It is available in six languages
easyJet has this week launched its first mobile optimized website across Europe. Accessed through http://m.easyjet.com the new mobile site gives customers the ability to search & book flights, check flight... more

DefenseLeon Panetta:"First English F-35 is a milestone in bilateral security relationship"
Fort Worth, USA - The Joint Strike Fighter is "Critical to our future defence strategy"
"I am delighted that UK secretary of state for defence Philip Hammond will have the opportunity to mark yet another milestone in our defence relationship by taking the first international delivery of an... more

AirlinesAircraft and airlines: Gianni Pieraccioni will be the next Alitalia director general
Rome, Italy - As anticipated by the newspaper "Italia Oggi"
According to the forecast released by the Milan-based newspaper "Italia Oggi", the next meeting of the Alitalia board of directors will appoint Gianni Pieraccioni as the new director general of the most... more

MiscellaneousNeedle sandwiches on Delta Air Lines aircraft: responsible search goes on
Amsterdam, Netherlands - The police reduces the number of suspects
The affair of the needles placed into six turkey sandwiches served on board of some Delta Air Lines aircraft departing from Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (AVIONEWS) could have a responsible soon: the Dutch... more

ReportAircraft and crisis: Damascus burns
Damascus, Syria - USA: "We need to come together to support a transition"
The explosion which killed the Syrian president brother-in-law, defence minister and head of the Syrian crisis team yesterday July 18, 2012, was only the beginning of a new attack made by the Syrian rebel... more

IndustryBoeing. Sales continue after Farnborough: aircraft for South Korea
Seoul, South Korea - Waiting for the F-X III
After placing orders for $37 billion at Farnborough (many rumors reports about heavy discounts on list prices, for alleged $18 billion), Boeing continues its international commercial operations. Korean... more

AirportsAutogrill enters the Istanbul and Dubai airports
Milan, Italy - The Group expands its activities in new markets
Through its HMSHost International division, Autogrill Group is expanding its food & beverage activities in new markets by starting up at Istanbul and Dubai international airports. The concession agreement... more

Tilt-rotorsHybrid airplane-helicopter Osprey to arrive in Japan on 23 July
Washington, USA - Japanese minister of Defense is considering to take a ride on it to prove its safety
The United States have communicated to the Japanese authorities that the arrive of the first twelve V-22 Osprey aircraft (an airplane-helicopter hybrid) will arrive at the US Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni... more

Civil aviationAircraft and transport, UK border staff strike announced (VIDEO)
London, United Kingdom - Minister of Immigration: "The decision is completely unacceptable"
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), one of the most important in the UK, has announced the decision to call a strike in the next days in protest against the Interior Ministry over job cuts... more

Military aviationChavez eyes the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft
Caracas, Venezuela - Power, technology and thrust vectoring nozzles for the Flanker family class leader
Today July 19, 2012, the Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez declared he is interested in purchasing the Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighter aircraft. The president said Venezuela needs the fighter to enhance... more

Science and technologySolar Impulse airplane took off yesterday to Toulouse and landed safely
Madrid, Spain - The last leg of the flight is postponed
Solar Impulse (HB-SIA) airplane took off yesterday morning from Madrid-Barajas (Spain) at 05:36 AM UTC+2. The solar aircraft of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg landed successfully in Toulouse-Francazal... more

Press releaseHelicopters: Eurocopter UK’s Maintenance Mission Control Center is ready for the Olympic Games
Oxford, United Kingdom - During the event, an estimated 7,000 flight hours of police and security air units will be supported
Eurocopter’s new Maintenance Mission Control Center in Oxford, England is setting new standards in operator support, particularly for the security agencies involved in the upcoming London Olympic Games.... more

SecurityACI Europe supports EC's proposal to reschedule removal of restrictions of carry-on liquids on airplanes
Brussels, Belgium - The European Commission today announced the postponement of the deadline of April 2013
The European Commission (EC) today announced the postponement of the deadline of April 2013 for lifting the current restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) by passengers, considering... more

IndustryFinmeccanica looks for alliances with its European competitors
Rome, Italy - "If things continue like this, we will have no future"
Giuseppe Orsi, chief executive officer and chairman of Finmeccanica, the Italian hi-tech industrial group, has allegedly said that European defence industries risk not being capable of carrying on profitable... more

DefenseUS National Guard begins transition to the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft
Washington, USA - "It flies just like the simulator"
The US Air Force has started training the first Air National Guard pilot on the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter. The first... more

Military aviationNew upgrade for Yakoklev Yak-130 trainer jet
Moscow, Russia - "Increasing its combat potential allows it to be potentially used in action"
Irkut, the well-known Russian aircraft-maker (the same which produces the popular Su-27 interceptor family), has declared it will upgrade the sensor-package of its latest release, the Yakoklev Yak-130... more

Press releaseIATA: Strategic Action Plan to Improve Aviation Safety in Africa
Montreal, Canada - The plan will enhance safety by addressing deficiencies and strengthening regulatory oversight in the region
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) urge Ministers attending the African Ministerial Meeting on Aviation Safety being held in Abuja,... more

AirlinesCathay Pacific changes its order for aircraft A-350XWB from -900 to -1000 version
Hong Kong, China - With an option for a further 10
The Hong Kong-based company Cathay Pacific announced on Wednesday 18/07/2012 that, subject to the approval of the board of executives, it will subscribe an agreement with Airbus to convert 16 of its already... more

ReportAircraft and crisis. Syria: "Suicide bomb" kills defence minister
Damascus, Syria - Alawite army loosing morale after face off against Turkey and Nato
The Syrian defence minister, Daoud Rajiha, was killed last night by a suicide bomb attack. He has been defence minister for less than a year, serving previously as chief of staff. The bomb exploded... more

HelicoptersEurocopter: EC-225 helicopter remains the preferred choice for fire-fighting missions in Japan
Tokyo, Japan - It concludes a new contract with the Tokyo Fire Department
Following the purchase of an EC-225 helicopter last December after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Tokyo Fire Department (TFD) signed a contract for another EC-225 this month, to add on to its Eurocopter... more

AirlinesAircraft and transport: Croatia Airlines reaches its 1,000,000th passenger in 2012
Zagreb, Croatia - Goal reached two days ahead of last year
Croatia Airlines reached on Wednesday 18 July its 1,000,000th passenger handled in 2012: the goal has been reached at 11:30 am, with the landing of the flight OU417 from Frankfurt. This is a positive... more

Finance and economyAircraft and finance: Aer Lingus asks its shareholders to refuse Ryanair offer
Dublin, Ireland - "It undervalues the intrinsic value of the business"
Aer Lingus asked its shareholders to refuse the purchase offer made by Ryanair, with a letter which was signed by the company entire board of executives. Despite the chief executive officer of the low-cost... more

HelicoptersORNGE helicopters: Louis Bartolotta (AgustaWestland) releases a declaration to "Toronto Star"
Philadelphia, USA - "Misinformation about our company has reached a level we can no longer ignore"
The long and complex affair regarding the alleged kickback scheme which involves ORNGE (the Ontario air ambulance service agency that receives about $150 million a year from the province) and Italian Finmeccanica... more

AirportsAircraft and transport: South African Airways sells a London-Heathrow morning slot
London, United Kingdom - The price is probably around 30 million Euro
South African Airways (SAA) has sold one of its morning landing slots at London-Heathrow airport, as declared by the Johannesburg newspaper "Beeld", which reports the confirmation given by the company... more

AerospaceInternational Space Station: Soyuz spacecraft docked with new crew (VIDEO)
Moscow, Russia - Announcement from Russian mission control
The Soyuz Tma-05 spacecraft successfully docked on the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:51 am of 17 July 2012, as announced by Russia's Mission Control Center in Korolev. On board there was the new... more

Civil aviationAircraft and local public transport: calendar of the next strikes in Italy
Rome, Italy - From tomorrow to 21 September, modification excepted
Tomorrow, 18 July 2012 - Meridiana Fly group flight attendants: 4 hours from 10 am to 2 pm - Flight Care Italia airport workers at Rome-Fiumicino airport: 4 hours, from 10 am to 2 pm 20 July 2012 -... more