AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,705 news found

HelicoptersLUH: first details on the UH-145
Washington, USA - The aircraft could prove capable of exceeding several spec requirements, according to some analysts
Experts from the helicopter sector are focusing on the UH-145 promoted by a team consisting of EADS-Eurocopter, Sikorsky and Westwind for the US Army’s LUH (Light Utility Helicopter) programme. The vehicle (... more

Civil aviationFAA (Correction) AD on Pratt & Whitney JT8D-209, -217, -217A, -217C, and -219 turbofan engines
Washington, Usa - To prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: November 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 228)] [Page 71610] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd. model 750XL airplanes
Washington, Usa - To prevent structural failure of the outer panel and spar due to a cracked, bent, or distorted condition of the left and right outer panel attachment lugs; and incorrect spacing of the left and right outer panel attachment lugs
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: November 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 228)] [Page 71381-71383] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more

Latest news"Hercules feeds the griffon": aerial refuelling test between a C-130 and a JAS-39 proved successful
Stockholm, Sweden - A Hercules will be available for Swedish Air Force to perform such operations starting in 2006
The SAAB/BAE JAS-39 Gripens of Swedish Air Force will be able to be refuelled in flight by a dedicated version of the C-130 Hercules. Recent tests on the Baltic Sea would have shown the full compatibility... more

IndustryL-3 Communications Corp. awarded of a near 20 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the Navy's C-40A aircraft fleet
L-3 Communications Corp., Arlington, Texas, is being awarded a $19,952,385 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-04-D-0110) to exercise an option... more

IndustrySikorsky Aircraft Corp. awarded of a over 7 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the VH-60N executive helicopter
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $7,758,703 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00019-03-G-0003) for the cockpit upgrade... more

IndustrySikorsky Aircraft Corp. awarded of a over 13 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Nov. 22, 2005, a $13,784,578 firm-fixed-price contract for the Flight Control Panels for the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Work will be performed... more

AirlinesFinnair: new non-stop flight from Helsinki to New Delhi
Helsinki, Finland - Starting from November 2006
"Finnish flag carrier, Finnair, announced a scheduled non-stop connection from Helsinki to the Indian capital city, New Delhi, starting from November 2006. India has over one billion of inhabitants and... more

AirlinesAlpine ski to fly with WestJet
Ottawa, Canada - The Canadian Federation selected it as its official carrier
The North American airline has been named official carrier of Canada’s alpine ski teams as a part of a 5 years partnership which includes all federation’s sectors, from the emerging racers to the veteran and... more

Sport aviationWorld flight distance record by glider achieved by an Italian
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Thomas Gostner flew over the Andes by his Nimbus 4 for 2130 km
Italy achieved the world flight distance record by glider. Thomas Gostner, belonging to group of sport flight protagonists of Bolzano Aeroclub (which also includes Stefano Ghiorzo and Giorgio Galetto,... more

DefenseBerselli: excellent relationship exist between Italy and Turkey
Rome, Italy - Italian Defence Undersecretary Berselli met his Turkish counterpart, Murad Bayar, at the Defence Ministry today
Italian Defence Undersecretary, Filippo Berselli, met his Turkish counterpart, Murad Bayar, at the Defence Ministry in Rome today. Berselli said that excellent relationship exist between Italy and Turkey;... more

Civil aviationAgreement Italy-Switzerland on air defence during the Olympic Winter Games
Bern, Switzerland - To improve the possibility of action in case of air threat
On the occasion of the Olympic Winter Games of Turin 2006, Switzerland and Italy have concluded an agreement to reinforce anti-terrorism measures by the employment of combat aircraft from the respective... more

Science and technologyCape Town Airport closed for 5 hours
Cape Town, South Africa - Chaos also in other airports of the country where many flights were delayed or cancelled
South African airlines were forced to cancel several flights due to the closure lasted more than 5 hours at Cape Town International Airport last Sunday. Flight operations halt has been caused by the necessity... more

AirlinesPegasus Airlines purchased 12 B-737/800
Ankara, Turkey - The Turkish carrier is in operation from last November 1st
The choice by Turkish carrier, Pegasus Airlines, is for Boeing, in fact the airline has acquired 12 B-737/800. The contract, worth USD 800m, expects a first two airplanes’ delivery in 2008, four aircraft i... more

DefenseItalian Chief of General Staff Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola visiting Israel for two days
Tel Aviv, Israel - It was announced by the "Jerusalem Post"
Israeli newspaper "Jerusalem Post" wrote today that Italian Chief of General Staff Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola is going to visit the country for two days, when he will meet Israeli Defence Minister, Shaul... more

CuriositiesParaglider-scooter: asked Flite Bike for it
Rome, Italy - The transformation kit is worth around EUR 16,000
A paraglider-scooter worth around EUR 16,000. To make such a wonderful couple one just needs to ask for US company Flite Bike’s support, a company which suggests a Honda Reflex motorbike as a platform t... more

AirlinesVolvo Group will fly only SAS and Star Alliance: signed agreement
Stockholm, Sweden - The contract to run for two years
SAS and Star Alliance have signed a new global travel agreement with Volvo AB, which means that Volvo has selected two carriers as its main suppliers of air travel. For SAS and Star Alliance, the agreement... more

AirlinesDoha: the A-380 to "Cut the celebration ribbon" of the new airport
Doha, Qatar - It will occur in 2009 so that the airline would have decided to postpone the operational service of the aircraft at the air station till such a date
The building of a new international airport at Doha (Qatar) is at its 20% development and Qatar Airways would have decided to postpone the operational service of the Airbus A-380 till 2009. The Middle... more

MiscellaneousCIA flights and secret prisons in Europe: Rice expected to give explanations
Washington, USA - The Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner denounced to have seen a small Guantanamo in Kosovo
US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, will seek to deflect growing pressures from the Old Continent during her next trip in Europe the coming week: several countries in Europe are in fact claiming that... more

AirlinesTurkish Airlines: profits rise by 30% up September 30 2005
Ankara, Turkey - The Turkish airline has carried 11 million passengers
Turkish Airlines reported profits up by 30% and passenger traffic up by 20%. Net profit was USD 106m with 11 million passengers carried untill September 30 2005. The Turkish airline’s revenues rose to U... more

Civil aviationNaples-Capodichino Airport: "Missiles rain or UFOs invasion?"
Naples, Italy - Two pilots would have stated they saw objects rapidly moving nearby their aircraft while arriving at the Campania's air station in 2003 in two different occasions
An investigation set by Naples Attorney regarding two unidentified objects which would have been seen in the air nearby Capodichino Airport respectively in June and October 2003 would be about to end.... more

AirlinesEast Star Airlines (2): "This is a new vote of confidence in A-320"
Milan, Italy - Airbus President and CEO Gustav Humbert affirmed
"We are delighted to welcome East Star Airlines as our new customer. We feel very proud that East Star Airlines has signed a letter of intent for the initial commitment to purchase 10 Airbus A-320 aircraft.... more

AirlinesEast Star Airlines: "We will ensure high standards of service quality for passengers"
Milan, Italy - Comment by Chinese airline's President, Lan Shili
Private carrier East Star Airlines announced to have selected Airbus to develop its own fleet of commercial aircraft (see for details AVIONEWS). "The A-320 family aircraft is no doubt the best choice for... more

IndustryTalon Instruments acquired by EADS
Washington, USA - The American company presently owned by the European holding is competent for the production of hardware and software to test digital devices
Talon Instruments, a US company located in California, has been acquired by European aerospace and defence leading firm EADS by its American division, EADS North America. The acquired company is competent... more

AirlinesMalev: Aviation Solution Investment Consortium sued the Privatization Agency
Budapest, Hungary - Hungarian economic journal "Napi Gazdasag" reported it
Malev privatization destine seems to follow BUdapest Airport’s privatization. The Hungarian economic daily "Napi Gazdasag" reported that the Aviation Solution Investment Consortium (ASBK), which is a... more

Latest newsNorway: is the Eurofighter ready to "dethrone" the JSF?
Oslo, Norway - Government would be carefully evaluating the four-nation fighter though it still industrially cooperates for the F-35
After the possible hard hit against the Joint Strike Fighter programme in Great Britain (see for details AVIONEWS), another one could follow in Norway in case the United States and Lockheed Martin do not... more

Government actsQuestion time: Alitalia's resources management
Rome, Italy - By Hon. Francesco Paolo Lucchese (UDC)
Italian Deputy Hon. Lucchese intended to understand how Italian Government thinks to take into account the importance of resources management in Alitalia after its difficulties at the Stock Exchange. more

IndustryAero Vodochody stakes concentrated in a sole subject before privatization
Prague, Czech Republic - The Czech Parliament established it
Aero Vodochody, about to be privatized (see for details AVIONEWS), is owned by Letka company by a 53.31% and by the State company Ceska kponsolidacni agentura by 46.65%. The Czech Parliament has recently... more

Government actsQuestion time: a US warship in Civitavecchia Harbour
Rome, Italy - By Hon. Elettra Deiana (Rifondazione Comunista)
Italian Deputy Hon. Deiana asked Italian Minister of Defence for explaining why the US Carter Hall warship arrived at Civitavecchia Harbour as it is a civil structure. more

Government actsQuestion time: information about the supposed deployment of white phosphorus in Nassiriya
Rome, Italy - By Hon. Umberto Ranieri (DS)
Italian Deputy Hon. Ranieri intended to understand if white phosphorus has been deployed by the US forces in Nassiriya and which kind of information Italian Government can provide about it. more

AirlinesAerolineas Argentinas: strikers blocked the road for Ezeiza Airport
Buenos Aires, Argentina - The protest entered its 6th day
Aerolineas Argentinas dependents on strike since last week (see for details AVIONEWS) blocked the road to Ezeiza Airport, Argentina’s main international airport yesterday. Hundreds of passengers had t... more

Government actsMotion: Italian appraisals on the supposed use of white phosphorus in Iraq
Rome, Italy - By Hon. Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio (Verdi) and other Deputies
Italian Deputy Hon. Pecoraro Scanio asked Italian Government for verifying if a real use of white phosphorus was made in Iraq by the US troops as it is an illegal mean concerning international rules on... more

Science and technologyUSA: air traffic is haywire in the airports due to bad weather
Washington, USA - Snow, ventilators and thunderstorms caused delays and cancellation of flights
US airports delayed or cancelled flights because of the bad weather which started to affect Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and Dakota last Sunday. A power failure has put out of action also the... more

Latest newsThe MoD "Disarmed" the JSF
London, UK - Ministry of Defence's cuts could affect the F-35 programme by lowering its weapon systems
A new name for the F-35 proved insufficient to make it more attractive to British Ministry of Defence. As renamed JCA (Joint Combat Aircraft) instead of JSF (Joint Strike Fighter), the new multirole stealth... more

DefenseDepleted uranium: Italian Senate investigation flew to Bosnia-Erzegovina and Kosovo yesterday
Rome, Italy - To verify if all necessary safety measures against uranium risks were adopted
Italian Committee on the depleted uranium flew to Bosnia-Erzegovina and Kosovo yesterday. Parliament’s deputation is led by President Paolo Franco and includes senators Tana de Zulueta, Aventino Frau a... more

AccidentsNigeria: two killed in air accident
Abuja, Nigeria - A private aircraft crashed inside Kaduna Airport
A Beechcraft King Air B-200 plane went down yesterday in Nigeria shortly after departing and killed both passengers. The aircraft crashed inside the airport of Kaduna because of unknown cause. An US-trained... more

Latest newsCanada: new military airlifter requirements have been criticized
Ottawa, Canada - The C-130 would appear clearly in advantage compared to the C-17 and the A-400M, according to some analysts
Canada intends to provide with new military airlifters (see for details AVIONEWS) but debates have already occurred regarding the possible candidates. Some military analysts would think that the requirements... more

People787 Dreamliner: entertainment services by Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Washington, USA - The company selected by Boeing to provide wireless entertainment and communications systems
Boeing chose Panasonic Avionics Corporation for the provision of entertainment systems and services for passengers on board with reference to the 787 Dreamliner programme. The new medium-long range aircraft... more

HelicoptersEurocopter: AS-350 delivered to South African Police
Pretoria, South Africa - In the meantime, the group celebrates 3000 Ecureuils manufactured in 30 years
EADS-owned European helicopter group Eurocopter delivered recently an AS-350 B3 Ecureuil to South African Police, which already uses six aircraft of the same type. Such an event occurs just when the company... more

AirlinesAir India: airplanes to be leased to expand the network
New Dheli, India - This hypothesis could also involve the low-cost carrier Air India Express
Air India airline intends to expand its network but, while waiting for taking delivery of new purchased airplanes during the forthcoming years, would be carefully thinking to lease some aircraft as an... more

AirlinesCzech Airlines: Prague Airport royalties operator to be put under investigation
Prague, Czech Republic - The Czech carrier moaned about a not so transparent operating on taxes
RLP is the company controlling air traffic in the Czech Republic. Czech Airlines asked antitrust authorities and Ministry of Transport for starting investigating about the way RLP sets taxes. Such a firm... more

Science and technologyShanghai Airport: checks on passengers against avian flu
Beijing, China - A throughout screening on travellers leaving or entering
China’s Shanghai Airport started controls on all international passengers for fevers or other symptoms of bird flu today after the World Health Organization began investigating two deaths caused by avian f... more

Latest newsGreece: F-16's price rose up but Government is ready to go on
Athens, Greece - Administration justified this measure by considering the local manufacturing and technical assistance scheduled even for the already operated aircraft
A dispute is involving Greece about the purchase of 40 new F-16C/D Block 50/52 Fighting Falcon multirole light fighters. The total value of the step rose up from USD 1.3bn to 3.1bn. Nevertheless, Government... more

HelicoptersUS Navy's Sea King bound for retirement
Washington, USA - The last 25 refurbished helicopters destined to stay in service for about six years have been delivered
US Navy took delivery of its last 25 Sikorsky H-3 Sea King helicopters. The aircraft have been completely refurbished and they will stay in service for about six years before being withdrawn. The Sea Kings... more

Sport aviationHot-air balloon: the new altitude record now speaks Indian
Mumbai, India - A flying enthusiast business man reached 21,000 meters in India
Vijaypat Singhania, 67 years old, touched 21,000 of altitude above sea level last Saturday, breaking Swedish Per Lindstrand’s existing record set in June 1988 in Texas. The Indian millionaire Singhania -... more

Science and technologySwissport to sell its shareholding in Turkish associate company Havas
Istanbul, Turkey - Ciner group will take over it
Swissport International, a Helvetic handling company, sold its 40% shareholding in Turkish ground handler Havas to the Turkish-based Ciner Group. The sale is part of a broader streamlining of the Swissport... more

AirlinesA passenger lighted a cigarette and urinated in the plane's aisle
New York, USA - It occured on an United Airlines flight last Friday
He was on board a United Airlines flight taken off from Orlando, Florida, and bound for Washington last Friday. He was drunk and firstly lighted a cigarette. A flight attendant reproached him but the man... more

HelicoptersKamov proves stronger in the Spanish market
Madrid, Spain - New orders for the Ka-32s deployed in firefighting missions
Russia goes on confirming its particular vocation in producing excellent firefighting aircraft and market appears to recognize the value of the national aerospace industry in this field once again. Spanish... more

Latest newsIndonesia: possible orders for the C-130 Hercules
Jakarta, Indonesia - Defence Ministry would intend to purchase as many as possible
The United States decided recently to lift an embargo against weapons trade due to reasons related to human rights. The first self-evident effect of such a decision, according to experts, could be traced... more

AirlinesHainan Airlines is about to buy regional carrier CR Airways
Beijing, China - The "South China Morning Post" reported it
Hainan Airlines is about to buy CR Airways, a Hong-Kong-based regional airline founded in 2001. CR Airways owns also a subsidiary charter airline. Chinese daily "South China Morning Post" sustained that... more