AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,705 news found

PeopleAir Traffic. Eurocontrol: workshop for an innovative research
Brétigny-sur-Orge, France - Over 200 experts met in a three-day
"Over 200 air traffic management experts from all over the world met for a three-day Workshop at the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC) to discuss innovative research for air traffic management. The... more

Latest newsIraq has its first Hercules' crew
Baghdad, Iraq - Iraqi armed and security forces are presently operating with a total number of more than 320,000 soldiers
Reorganization of the Iraqi armed forces achieved an important goal: the first Iraqi Air Force’s crew devoted to fly the C-130 Hercules is ready. While waiting for the next Parliament election (on December 1... more

HelicoptersEnstrom: the 280 FX will monitor Republic of Georgia's security from above
Tbilisi, Georgia - Police took delivery ot two aircraft but additional orders could be made; also a 480B has been purchased in Slovenia
Republic of Georgia took deliver of two Enstrom 280FX helicopters which will be deployed by Police forces and Interior Ministry for aerial surveillance missions, within a strengthening policy for the related... more

AccidentsCanada: Coast Guard helicopter sank into Atlantic Ocean
Toronto, Canada - The two crew members were killed
A Canadian Coast Guard MBB-105 helicopter crashed off Burin Peninsula, in Newfoundland, on Wednesday afternoon. On board there were pilot Gord Simmons, 65, and technician Carl Neal, 46, both killed after... more

AirlinesLIMA Air Show 2005 (4): A-320s deliveries to AirAsia started
Langkawi, Malaysia - "The lowest cost optimization programme", according to the low-cost carrier's representatives
There is also room for civil aviation at LIMA Air Show 2005 and AirAsia can announce the start of deliveries for its 60 Airbus A-320s, a major aircraft to implement the short-medium haul fleet renewal... more

IndustryTurbomeca: Safran and AVIC II signed framework agreement to collaborate on helicopter engines
Paris, France - For the delivery of 200 Arriel 2 engines to China
"Jean-Paul Béchat, Chairman of SAFRAN, and Zhang Hongbiao, Chairman of AVIC II (China Aviation Industry Corporation II), signed a framework agreement on December 5 concerning the delivery of 200 Arriel... more

SecurityUS helicopter carried out an emergency landing in Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq - There would not be injured people
An American military helicopter used for medical transportation has been compelled to perform an emergency landing North of Baghdad today. US military sources have confirmed the accident and clarified... more

PeopleNats: flights show an increase in November
London, UK - It handled 176,259 flights in last month
"National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the UK’s leading air traffic management provider, handled 176,259 flights in November, a rise of 4.2 per cent over November 2004. Continued route development and h... more

HelicoptersCSAR-X: here are the USAF's requirements
Washington, USA - However, the armed force could ask for something more to the future Combat-SAR helicopter
USAF made requirements for the future Combat-SAR (Search and Rescue) helicopter clearer. The armed force thinks that the CSAR-X programme aircraft (some 141 airframes are scheduled to be ordered for a... more

AirlinesCentralwings added new connections and developed the existing on the Summer flight schedule
Rome, Italy - The Polish low-cost airline's press release
Centralwings will launch a new link from Boulogne to Krakow and more flights from Rome and Boulogne for Poland with 2006 Summer schedule. Also other destinations in Europe will be connected with new flights.... more

Weather forecastsLIMA Air Show 2005 (3): aerial surveillance according to Embraer
Langkawi, Malaysia - All the EMB-145's military versions have been actually shown together with the Super Tucano trainer
Embraer is attending to LIMA Air Show 2005 (December 6-11) showing some among its most important products during the aerial-naval defence-dedicated exhibition. The EMB-145 platform is being offered in... more

AirlinesChina's Civil Aviation authorized two new private airlines
Shanghai, China - They are Kunming Airlines and Dazhong Airlines
The Chinese Civil Aviation Agency has authorized operations of two new private carriers: Kunming Airlines, based in Kunming, which has registered capital of 80 million yuan, owned by the Zhongheng Chuangxin... more

AerospaceASI: "Italy has an essential role in Europe's space policy
Rome, Italy - The comment of Sergio Vetrella, Italian Space Agency's President
"Italy has underwritten relevant programs in European area for a total investment worth EUR 1520m. It has played an essential role which allowed to accomplish important deals, such as Vega program, which... more

AirlinesBoulogne: Air Nostrum flight returned back shortly after take-off
Boulogne, Italy - A problem with an undercarriage forced pilot to change course
A plane of Air Nostrum (Iberia’s partner airline) bound for Barcelona, has been forced to come back to Bologna Airport shortly after its take off last morning. It departed at 11:20am (local time) and w... more

Latest newsIris-T: the future of Luftwaffe's dogfight
Berlin, Germany - The first air-to-air IR-guided short range next generation missile has been delivered
Luftwaffe has taken delivery of its first Iris-T IR-guided missile. It deals with one of the most important European programmes regarding armaments for military aircraft devoted to dogfight and it involves... more

Miscellaneous"Far West" on American Airlines plane
Washington, USA - A passenger was killed after a shooting on board
A man reportedly threatening to have a bomb in his carry-on baggage was shot and killed by US air marshals on board an American Airlines Boeing 757 just landed at Miami Airport from Medellin (Colombia).... more

AccidentsCanada: no airplane fell headlong on December 7
Ottawa, Canada - Eyewitnesses could have been misled by a low ceiling flight of some aircraft, according to Canadian Police
News release on last Wednesday, December 7, according to which an airplane would have fallen headlong in Canada (see for details AVIONEWS), fortunately proved baseless. Rescue teams sent to the site indicated... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) model EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, - 145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes
Washington, Usa - To prevent failure of the rudder control rods, which could result in jamming of the rudder II; and possible structural failure and reduced controllability of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 8, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 235)] [Page 72902-72904] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more

IndustryAirbus. Forgeard: European technology is not in danger
Paris, France - Consortium can transfer its manufacturing for a 20% stake out from Europe
Airbus can transfer its manufacturing for a 20% stake out from Europe, compared to current 5%. It will be important to make market share opportunities rise up to a 40% to win. Noel Forgeard, EADS co-CEO,... more

HelicoptersPoland: competition for the provision of the new VIP institutional transport helicopter started
Warsaw, Poland - AgustaWestland, Eurocopter and Sikorsky are ready to compete
A new competition for the provision of VIP institutional transport helicopters has started. It happens in Europe as Polish Government intends to provide with new vehicles to replace the ageing Mil Mi-8s,... more

AccidentsSouthwest Airlines plane slid off runway at Chicago (2): NTSB abd FAA started investigation
Chicago, USA - "Pilot had been flying for 10 years" carrier answered back
Carrier confirmed that flight 1248 was departed at 4:50pm from Baltimore and was expected to land at 6:30pm, but plane was seen flying around Chicago Midway Airport at about 7:15pm: the Southwest’s Boeing, b... more

AccidentsSouthwest Airlines plane slid off runway at Chicago: one killed
Chicago, USA - He was a child travelling on one of two cars struck by the aircraft
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 skidded off runway at Chicago’s Midway Airport during a snowstorm yesterday evening; it slammed through a fence onto a road skirting the airport and crashed into two cars: a... more

AerospaceApophis, the NEO which frightens scientists
Rome, Italy - The Asteroid would have one chance out of 3000 to hit the Earth in 2036 but absolute certainty will be achieved only in 2029
Scientists worldwide had already agreed about the fact that one should not ask if a meteorite or an asteroid can hit the planet but one should wonder when it can occur. There are several NEOs (Near-Earth... more

Civil aviationANSV hosts the third edition of Eccairs competition
Rome, Italy - Devoted to air accidents inspectors and safety analysts
Italian National Agency for Flight Safety is going to host the third edition of the Eccairs competition, devoted to air accidents inspectors and safety analysts, at its Roman-located headquarter from December... more

AccidentsATR-72 Tuninter's accident: "We now hope for quick answers"
Bari, Italy - Lawyers Persico and Romano's statements
Lawyers Persico and Romano, representing victims and their relatives of the ATR-72 Tuninter’s accident, think that the investigation must be carried on by focusing on specific matters, taking into account A... more

HelicoptersLIMA Air Show 2005 (2): Eurocopter proves a protagonist on the Asian market
Langkawi, Malaysia - Orders for two EC-135s, an EC-120 has been delivered to its customer and there is great interest for the AS-365N3 for offshore missions
Eurocopter’s great success on the Asian market goes on. The EADS-owned helicopter group is remarkably competitive with its products during the LIMA Air Show 2005. First of all, this company reported a... more

HelicoptersLIMA Air Show 2005. AgustaWestland delivered the first A-109 LOH for Malaysian Army
Langkawi, Malaysia - A total number of 11 helicopters of this type have been ordered
AgustaWestland officially delivered the first A-109 LOH (a special version of the LUH) utility helicopter to Malaysian Army during the LIMA Air Show 2005 (December 6-11). This aircraft, with an order for... more

AirlinesKorean Air's pilots to go on strike today
Seoul, South Korea - It is unknown how long the protest would last
Korean Air’s pilots yesterday voted in favour of strike which will occur today to protest against the failed agreement on their labor contract. Of the 1126 pilots who voted, 897 said yes for the walk-out, b... more

Latest newsChange of head at USAF base of Ramstein
Berlin, Germany - The new commander of US Air Forces in Europe took office
General William T. Hobbins assumed command of United States Air Forces in Europe from General Robert H. Foglesong. Hobbins took office by the American air base of Ramstein (Germany), which the US logistic... more

IndustryFinmeccanica. UBS upgraded the Italian group to "Neutral" from "Reduce"
Milan, Italy - Price target was lifted to EUR16.8 from EUR 14.2
UBS, Swiss investment banks, upgraded Finmeccanica’s titles to "Neutral" from "Reduce" saying its decision came from the earnings outlook of the Italian defence industry which was increasing. UBS raised 2... more

Latest newsUSAF's aerial refuelling aircraft: Boeing talking about a "KC-777" again
Washington, USA - In case USAF decides to change requirements, the 767 Tanker could be replaced by a special version of its "Big brother"
Something about it had been already spread in the past but now this nes appeared again in a more self-evident manner. Boeing could design an aerial refuelling military version of the 777 (see for details... more

AccidentsTuninter ATR-72. Bogus parts: it needs a Parliamentary board of inquiry
Rome, Italy - A proposal of UDEUR's deputy Pino Pisicchio
Italian Deputy from Popolari-Udeur party, Pino Pisicchio, proposed a Parliamentary board of inquiry to investigate onto the aircraft bogus parts case emerged from the air crash occurred off Palermo last... more

HelicoptersAgustaWestland: Deftech appointed by the industry as an authorised service centre in Malaysia
Langkawi, Malaysia - The agreement was signed on December the 7th at the Lima 2005 Airshow
"AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce DRB-HICOM subsidiary Deftech (DRB-Hicom Defense Technologies Sdn Bhd) has been appointed as the Agusta Authorised Service Centre in Malaysia... more

Science and technologyCopenaghen Airport: EU has given the green light to the Macquarie's offer
Brussels, Belgium - The Macquarie has offered 2,000 Danish crown for each share
The Macquarie Airports has obtained yesterday the okay by European Commission for acquiring, at price of 2,000 Danish crown, Koebenhavns Lufthavne’s shares, the Copenhagen’s airports management society. Cur... more

AirlinesFinnair to buy 12 Airbus
Helsinki, Finland - As a part of carrier's strategy to meet Asian market's demand
Finland’s national airline will purchase 12 new Airbus aircraft for a total worth of shortly more than USD 1bn. Three A-340s, which will be delivered between 2007 and 2008, are expected to be used on A... more

Science and technologyBudapest Airport denationalization: Fraport backed away from the bid
Budapest, Hungary - The website portfolio.hu announced it
The Hungarian website portfolio.hu reported news that Fraport would have the intention to abandon the tender for the denationalization of the Magyar capital’s Airport. The website reported in its turn t... more

AccidentsUS military aircraft pitched down off Florida: pilot was safe
Washington, USA - He would be dropped by parachute from his AV-8B Harrier
An US Marine pilot, whose AV-8B Harrier jet threw down headlong into the Atlantic Ocean, is recovering at a Florida hospital after the Coast Guard rescued him. Aircraft plunged off St. Augustine and the... more

SecurityCanada: eyewitnesses stated they saw an airplane falling headlong
Pocologan, Canada - Authorities are still verifying the reliability of such information
Eyewitnesses would have revealed they saw a civil aircraft falling headlong in water in Canada nearby Pocologan. According on what reported, it would have dealt with a four-engined aircraft which would... more

HelicoptersBulgaria: 18 Eurocopter's helicopters arriving for Navy and Army
Sofia, Bulgaria - Respectively six Panthers and twelve Cougars to support the NATO standardization programme for Bulgarian armed forces
Bulgaria’s Navy and Army will take delivery of new military helicopters. Eurocopter will provide a total number of 18 rotor-winged aircraft among Panthers (six for Navy) and Cougar (twelve for Army) w... more

Science and technologyBudapest Airport denationalization: a secret agreement will make British Airport Authority win the bid
Budapest, Hungary - Hungarian political opposition leader Viktor Orban stated
Budapest Airport denationalization is in the centre of attention during electoral competition. Opposition would cancel denationalization in case it achieves Government (see for details AVIONEWS). Hungarian... more

AccidentsC-130 crashed at Teheran (2): national mourning in Iran
Teheran, Iran - Administration offices will close for two days
Relatives of more than 100 fatalities of yesterday’s air disaster are angry: it seems in fact that Iran’s military authorities knew in advance before the crash that the crashed plane was not safe to fly... more

MiscellaneousEritrea: UN personnel must leave the country in ten days
Asmara, Eritrea - Eritrean and Ethiopian troops movements would have been already detected by Organization's personnel
Eritrea-Ethiopia border is under 3300 Blue Helmets’ surveillance to prevent the two states from resuming hostility. Eritrean Government, however, has forbidden international mission’s helicopters to per... more

Science and technologyFalse bomb-alert at Ciampino Airport (2): Ryanair cancelled 5 flights
Rome, Italy - Almost 700 passengers suffered for discomforts
Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair was due to cancel 5 flights after the false bomb-alert at Rome-Ciampino Airport this morning (see for details AVIONEWS): connections with Hannover, London-Stansted, Paris-Beauvais,... more

AccidentsATR-72 Tuninter's accident: survivors and victims' families could be compensated like after Linate disaster
Bari, Italy -
Survivors and victims’ families could be compensated like after Linate disaster. This project has been under analysis among institutions and associations in Bari. It would be necessary to resort to procedures a... more

AirlinesItalian Welfare Minister Maroni: "Alitalia situation is a serious one, so I asked for summoning carrier President Cimoli"
Rome, Italy - A statement followed to worries expressed by the trade unions on the future of the airline
Italian unions think that Alitalia recapitalization risks to prove insufficient to save the airline. Management is under attack by workers who consider the business plan a failure. Firm is accused to avoid... more

AirlinesAir France-Klm's traffic in November 2005: excellent performance in passenger activity
Paris, France - Sharp increase in both traffic and load factor
"Passenger operations In November Air France-KLM posted a further strong increase in both activity levels and traffic revenues, confirming the buoyant trading environment of previous months and the positive... more

IndustryAlenia Aeronautica: Finmeccanica group's company acquired Grottaglie-based Atitech division
Rome, Italy - It was unveiled to unions
Alenia Aeronautica, a company owned by Finmeccanica group, unveiled to unions it has acquired Grottaglie-based Atitech division, a company competent for aviation maintenance and previously owned by Alitalia... more

AirlinesTurkish Airlines: the carrier is the first European airline for growth capability
Istanbul, Turkey - It carried more than 11m passengers in 2005
Turkish Airlines reported the strongest growth percentage among all the European airlines in 2005. It carried some 11.61m passengers this year by an increase, compared to last year, of +20.9%. Second in... more

IndustryGalileo. Finmeccanica: a major step forward for the satellite system operational start
Rome, Italy - An agreement on infrastructures locations has been achieved, as Finmeccanica reported
Galileo global positioning system licensee headquarter will be built in Toulouse, while the operational company site will be located in London. Germany and Italy will host the two control centre (Constellation... more

PeopleENAC President Riggio: "We need personnel for inspections"
Rome, Italy - Statement by Italian National Civil Aviation Authority President
Italian National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) is going to set a meeting on next December 15 with all the airlines operating in Italy and the airports. Christmas period traffic will be analysed by forecasts... more