AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,360 news found

Civil aviationOFT refers Ryanair’s minority stake in Aer Lingus to Competition Commission
London, UK - For further investigation
The OFT (Office of Fair Trading) referred the completed acquisition by Ryanair Holdings plc of a minority stake in Aer Lingus Group plc (AL) to the Competition Commission for further investigation, due... more

Civil aviationEU: EUAVSEC South Sudan to strengthen aviation security in South Sudan
Luxembourg, Luxembourg - A strategy to assist it in becoming a viable, stable and prosperous State
The Council yesterday gave the green light for a new Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission to strengthen the aviation security at Juba international airport: EUAVSEC South Sudan. This civilian... more

DefenseDmitry Rogozin about long-range strategic bomber aircraft
Moscow, Russia - "With modern air defense systems, these targets will be destroyed on the way"
Dmitry Rogozin, Russian deputy Prime Minister with special responsibility for the military-industrial complex, said on Tuesday he was in favor of development of new strategic bomber aircraft programmes. "I... more

Finance and economyAircraft and finance: Air Works invests in Dubai Empire Aviation Group stake
Delhi, India - India, Middle East and beyond
Air Works, and Indian MRO service company (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) has purchased an undisclosed stake in Empire Aviation Group (EAG), a business aviation services company based in Dubai. The... more

AirlinesAircraft and airlines. GOL changes its leadership: Paulo Kakinoff new chief executive officer
San Paulo, Brazil - Its fleet is expressly dedicated to short-range connections
Gol Transportes Aéreos is a Brazilian low-cost airline based San Paulo, Brazil. The company operates a growing domestic and international scheduled network, and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange... more

AirlinesThai Airways former president interviewed : "We need more aircraft"
Bangkok, Thailand - "Getting new aircraft of the right kind can make an enormous difference between profit and loss"
The Thai Airways president Piyasvasti Amranand announced its surprise dismissal on 21 May 2012. Thai Airways chairman Ampon Kittiampon told the local transport committee that Amranand was dismissed because... more

ReportG20: Moscow under investigation. "It must stop helicopter deliveries to Syria"
Washington, USA - Such actions by Rosoboronexport warrant renewal of US sanctions against it, not a billion-dollar contract"
Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin discussed the accusation against Moscow expressed by the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the delivery of attack helicopters to Assad in Syria (AVIONEWS). The... more

AerospaceFAA and NASA delineate commercial spaceflight certifications
Washington, USA - Black hole explorer programme cancelled
NASA and FAA have signed a memorandum of understanding about the certification process for commercial spaceflight. According to press reports, NASA would be given non responsibility to approve spaceflights... more

IndustryLM receives vehicle-mounted sensor systems contract for Italian Army
Orlando, Usa - The second international contract for the industry
Lockheed Martin (LM) received a contract from SELEX Galileo for Gyrocam 15-inch Triple Sensor (15TS) systems for the Italian Army. This is LM’s second international Gyrocam15TS contract. The Gyrocam 1... more

Military aviationLockheed, Boeing and Eurofighter place formal bids for Seoul fighter aircraft tender
Seoul, South Korea - A decision should be made by October
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and the Eurofighter European consortium have placed official bidding documents to South Korea for the F-X III 60 aircraft competitive tender. The tender will select the aircraft... more

IndustryThe photo of the week: Airbus Military A-400M airplane transports EC-725 helicopter
Madrid, Spain - But also a NH-90
Airbus Military has successfully demonstrated the loading of NH Industries NH-90 and Eurocopter EC-725 helicopters onto the A-400M new generation aircraft. In a series of tests at Holzdorf air base in... more

ReportSearches of the Urals missing aircraft stepped up
Serov, Russia - The pilot and 12 friends allegedly took it after a high-alcoholic rate evening
The searches of the Antonov An-2 aircraft missing in the Urals since a week, allegedly after the pilot and 12 friends of him "Borrowed" it after a high-alcoholic rate evening on Monday 11/06/2012 (AVIONEWS).... more

AirlinesYama Airline purchases a further A-320 aircraft
Moscow, Russia - It also counts to purchase another 7 by the end of the year
Yamal (or Jamal) airline purchased a second Airbus A-320 aircraft, in line with its expansion strategy both of the aircraft fleet and of its network; the A-320 was chosen because it is considered to meet... more

Military aviationRussian Air Force purchases 10 MiG-31BM aircraft and 2 Mi-26 helicopters
Moscow, Russia - Orders could involve up to another 50 models of the same fighter
The Russian Air Force's Central Military District will receive its first 10 MiG-31BM interceptor fighter aircraft this year, as declared today 18/06/2012 by the District's press office. The delivery... more

IndustryAirbus and Air Canada make North America’s first ever “Perfect Flight”
Toulouse, France - Potential to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 40%
Airbus and Air Canada are performing today North America’s first “Perfect Flight” over international borders, with the goal of cutting CO2 emissions by more than 40 percent compared to a regular fligh... more

HelicoptersHelicopters and courts: Russian federal Anti-Monopoly Service grants AgustaWestland acquisition of 50% of HeliVert's
Moscow, Russia - Deal does not cause the limitation of competition
In accordance with the article 33 of the Federal law n° 135-FZ “Concerning the Protection of Competition” from 26/07/2006, Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) has considered the motion of AgustaWestland rega... more

Civil aviationICAO and ACI collaborate to enhance safety standards at airports
Montreal, Canada - It will allow both organizations to join forces to improve aviation safety
Last Friday, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI), signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to provide a framework to jointly pursue the highest... more

UAS-DronesX-37B UAV space plane returns to Earth after 469-day mission (VIDEO)
Lompoc, USA - 224 days more than the previous mission
The X-37B UAV OTV-2 (Orbital Test Vehicle) space plane, landed without problems at the Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, California, ending a 469-day mission: it took off from Cape Canaveral on 5... more

UAS-DronesUnited Kingdom: drone airplane about to start
London, United Kingdom - Part of the "Astraea" project
The BAE Systems airplane called "The Flying Test Bed" will start tests this year: the trials will involve a series of at least 20 flights over the Irish Sea and through UK airspace. The peculiarity of... more

CuriositiesScottish Duchess retrieves the jewels lost at Glasgow Airport
Glasgow, United Kingdom - They were sold for a lot less than their value and ready to be up for auction
The Duchess of Argyll had lost every hope to retrieve the jewels lost in 2006 at Glasgow Airport, among which there was a Victorian tiara. But a few months ago she saw them reappearing among the objects... more

SecurityAirports: United States tests far-flung immigration checks at the departure
New York, USA - Exasperating queues after attack of Christmas day 2009
An American test aims to decrease the time spent waiting during US immigration authorities checks at US airports. The test is scheduled to start in 14 countries worldwide. The Italian daily "Repubblica"... more

AerospaceChinese capsule successfully docks to orbiting module (VIDEO)
Beijing, China - "An orbiting space station by 2020"
The Tiangong-1 capsule (Heavenly Palace) successfully docked to the Shenzou-9 module (Divine Vessel) during the mission started Saturday 16/06/2012. This was the first manually-performed docking China... more

AirlinesRoyal Jordanian keeps renewing its fleet: new A-321 aircraft delivered
Amman, Jordan - V2500 engines were chosen in order to save fuel
Royal Jordanian continues its fleet rejuvenation programme, with the delivery of the second A-321 aircraft in the last months. The Middle Eastern country state airline is gradually replacing its 6 Airbus... more

AirlinesCivil aircraft: turnover at the top of Air Asia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Omar replaces Fernandes
Air Asia Malaysia has appointed Aireen Omar as its new director and chief executive officer, effective July 1. Aireen Omar will replace Tony Fernandes, who is going to assume the title of non-executive... more

Military aviationUS Marine Corps hopes to receive first F-35B aircraft squadron in November
Bethesda, USA - Lockheed Martin receives funds to proceed with the production
Lockheed Martin has been assigned a US Department of Defence contract worth $490 million to purchase materials and components for the production series of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. This... more

Government actsEuropean Parliament: question on State aid in the aircraft cargo sector
Strasbourg, France - By Mario Mauro (PPE)
"Question for written answer P-005785/2012 to the Commission Rule 117 Mario Mauro (PPE) Subject: State aid in the aircraft cargo sector The ‘private investor in a market economy’ principle ori... more

Civil aviationAircraft and trade: Serbian government offers 3 airports to China as free-trade zone
Užice, Serbia - Offered to Chinese investors for the creation of a logistics base
The Serbian government is allegedly negotiating with some Chinese investors for the creation of a free-trade zone in the Balkan nation, according to the Serbian newspaper "Danas". The airports "Offered"... more

AirportsAircraft and transport: London-Heathrow airport turns technological
London, United Kingdom - New software system for the English hub
London-Heathrow airport prepares for a technologic turning point: new software, which permits the optimization of airport activities, with a consequent save of time and fuel, is being installed at the... more

AirportsAircraft and transport: Munich citizens say "No" to the third runway
Munich, Germany - The "Yes" vote between 45% and 46%
The official figures are not available yet, but the latest forecasts leave little room for the possibility of a last-minute reversal: the citizens of Munich have expressed their "No" to the third runway... more

AirlineseasyJet adds extra flights on Belfast routes
London, UK - Including Edinburgh, London and Manchester
easyJet, Northern Ireland’s largest airline, is to introduce extra flights from Belfast International Airport on routes including Edinburgh, London and Manchester. Expansion of its Edinburgh service m... more

Civil defenseFires: two aircraft of the Italian State fleet sent to Greece
Rome, Italy - Canadair airplanes and helicopters engaged yesterday in Italy on 14 fires
Two Italian Canadair airplanes yesterday were placed at the disposal of the Hellenic Authority to help the fire-fighting activity interesting the Attica area, South of Athens, following the urgent request... more

AirportsAircraft and transport: traffic in Paris airports decreases for the first time in 17 months
Paris, France - 5.4% fall of the traffic to and from North America
Aéroports de Paris (ADP), the firm which manages the Parisian airports Roissy, Orly and Le Bourget, communicated a passenger traffic decrease in its hubs for the first time in 17 months. The last figure... more

AirlinesAircraft and transport: Malaysia Airlines fined in Australia, it was part of a price fixing cartel
Sidney, Australia - 6 million Australian dollars (4.77 million Euro, 6.03 million American dollars) sanction
The Asian carrier Malaysia Airlines was sentenced by an Australian court to pay a 6-million-Australian-dollars fine (roughly 4.77 million Euro or 6.03 million American dollars), because of its involvement... more

AirportsAircraft and transport: passengers decrease in May at Florence-Peretola Airport
Florence, Italy - Strong influence of the problems deriving from the wind
Florence-Peretola Airport confirms the negative trend it is experiencing since the beginning of 2012: the figure of the passenger traffic in May 2012 represents a downturn equal to 3.8% compared to the... more

AirlinesTurkish Airlines decides to resell its share in BH Airlines
Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina - News released by the Bosnian press
According to what has been reported by the Bosnian press, Turkish Airlines decided to exit from the stock of BH Airlines, Bosnia-Herzegovina reference carrier. Since 2008 Turkish Airlines owns a 49% share... more

AerospaceFirst Chinese woman in space with the Shenzhou IX spacecraft
Beijing, China - She is the 33 yo Liu Yang
China is ready to send its first woman into space: Liu Yang, 33 yo major in the People's Liberation Army who entered the astronaut training program just two years ago, will leave tomorrow from the Jiuquan... more

IndustryBoeing named associate partner to SSI in SESAR development phase
Rome, Italy - The agreement follows a Memorandum of Collaboration signed in October 2011
SELEX Sistemi Integrati (SSI) –a Finmeccanica company- and Boeing have entered into a collaboration agreement in the framework of SESAR development phase, the European Air Traffic Management Modernisation P... more

ReportStill no trace of the aircraft took by an allegedly tipsy group of friends in the Urals
Serov, Russia - 6 aircraft keep searching
The aircraft which took off from the Serov (Russia) aerodrome on the evening of Monday 11 June seems to have disappeared, after it was "Borrowed" by the pilot together with a number of friends that, according... more

ReportChavez continues to release declarations about the Venezuelan/Iranian-made drone aircraft
Caracas, Venezuela - "We have the right, we would not have it if we were a colony, but we are a free and independent nation"
Controversy about Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez's declarations continues. The president has revealed that Venezuela has made its first drone (UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in partnership with Iran,... more

Fair and showsHelicopters. "Ila 2012": many products making their debut at the "HeliCenter"
Berlin, Germany - Conferences with prominent participants and own heliport
The "ILA HeliCenter" is firmly established as a European trade show and market place covering all aspects of procurement, operation, training, financing and mission adaptation for the latest helicopters.... more

AirportsManchester Airport offers compensation for homes devalued by aircraft traffic
Manchester, United Kingdom - 1500 pounds for every owner
Manchester Airport will offer a compensation to almost 600 homeowners near the hub due to the depreciation of house prices caused by the intense air traffic generated by the opening of the second runway,... more

AirlinesAircraft and transport: Etihad sets its new record for single-day bookings
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - 65.000 reservations on Monday 11 June
The United Arab Emirates company Etihad Airways set on Monday 11 June its record for the highest number of reservations made in a single day: 65.000 travellers reserved their seat on the Abu Dhabi-based... more

AirlinesAircraft and transport: Aer Lingus could shortly switch its Belfast operational base
Belfast, United Kingdom - Move from Belfast International to "George Best"
Aer Lingus, Irish airline, is planning a removal of its main operational base in Belfast from the International Airport to the "George Best" City Airport. This action would reinvigorate the Northern... more

Military aviationNorway purchases its first two F-35 aircraft of a total of 52
Oslo, Norway - The other ones will be delivered over the next few years
The minister of Defence of Norway Espen Barth Eide announced today, 15/06/2012, the purchase of the first two F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft of a total of 52, thanks to the parliament's support,... more

DefenseUnited States will help Georgia's development of anti-aircraft systems
Washington, USA - The programme also plans to upgrade its utility helicopter fleet
The United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met the Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri to schedule a plan which will help Georgia's development of its air defenses and coastal surveillance... more

CuriositiesOld aircraft wreckage spotted on glacier in Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska - "We believe that there's a reason for JPAC to be involved"
Press agencies today reported a curious item of news. Some military officials had found what is believed to be old aircraft wreckage on the Knik Glacier. The wreckage was spotted during a helicopter flight... more

CuriositiesAircraft mistaken for a UFO during its transport to a naval base
Patuxent River, USA - It is the X-47B, Northrop Grumman-manufactured UAV
The acronym "UFO" stands for "Unidentified Flying Object", but sometimes there is not even the need that the object at issue is flying for someone to think they are involved in a "Close encounter". It... more

ReportCanadian aircraft help fight US wildfires in Colorado
Fort Collins, USA - Two Convair 580s and a Turbo Commander 690 left for Boise
Three Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (Canada) planes have gone to the US to help fight wildfires there. According to local press reports, the planes will work with the US Forest Service for 10 to... more

UAS-DronesX-47B drone aircraft completes first testing phase
Edwards, USA - Tested at different altitudes, weights and speeds
The UAV (Unmanned Air Vehicle, a remote-controlled aircraft without pilot) X-47B, manufactured by Northrup Grumman concluded the first testing phase at the Edwards US Air Force Base (California). The... more

Press releaseItalian ENAC: activities and view of national transport by airplane
Rome, Italy - "Report 2011" presented last Wednesday to institutions, operators and press
"Vito Riggio (President of ENAC, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority) and Alessio Quaranta (General Director of the same Authority) presented 'Report 2011' last Wednesday morning at the Senate, on the... more