AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,861 news found
DefenseIndia tested succesfully today two Prithvi-II missiles
New Delhi, India - Yesterday, Pakistan launched Hatf-V
The news agency "PTI" reveals that India on Wednesday made two successful consecutive tests of Prithvi-II ballistic missiles. The launches took place from the base of Chandipur, in Orissa's State. Prithvi... more
IndustryLAN firms up commitment to order 50 A-320 Family aircraft
Toulouse, France - The orders by South-American carriers overpass 150 models
LAN Airlines, one of Latin America's leading passenger and cargo airlines, signed a firm order for 50 new eco-efficient A-320 Family aircraft, making it the largest single airline order for Airbus in Latin... more
AirlinesAlitalia: flights full operational on all the network
Rome, Italy - Increased the seats offered on the air connections to London-Heathrow
For today, all domestic, international and intercontinental Alitalia flights are scheduled to be regular. In order to facilitate the return home of the passengers stranded at London-Heathrow airport... more
Civil aviationSnowfall scheduled on Paris' airports: airplanes' activity reduction asked
Paris, France - From 06:00 pm to 11:00 pm today and all day long tomorrow
Météo-France foresees heavy snowfalls on the Paris region starting from Wednesday's late afternoon, but the phenomenon will continue all day tomorrow, December 23. Therefore will occur serious disruptions t... more
ReportSouth Korea, at the start military exercises involving planes and helicopters
Seoul, South Korea - Not far from North Korea
After the Monday's military exercise on Yeonpyeong's Island, South Korea is preparing for other ground and sea military exercises, involving planes and helicopters. It was announced on Wednesday by the... more
IndustryAlenia Aermacchi: roll-out of first two Italian Air Force T-346A trainer planes
Varese, Italy - From the first batch of six aircraft
Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company controlled by Alenia Aeronautica, unveiled today the first two M-346 advanced trainers from the first batch of six aircraft for the Italian Air Force. The roll-out... more
AirportsAir chaos in Europe, EU intervenes
Brussels, Belgium - European Commissioner for Transport Kallas in the coming days will ask the airport rapresentatives for further explanations
The continuation of the heavy snowfalls around the major airports of the continent continues to increase disruptions which have been lasting for several days at now. Today on the issue has also intervened... more
ReportIsraeli F-16 airplanes attack the Gaza Strip
Tel Aviv, Israel - In reply to the launch of rockets from Gaza
Today, in response to the launch of rockets from Gaza to the south of Israel (according to a spokesman for the Israeli army, there would have been at least 14 attacks in the last two days), Israeli combat... more
Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: downpours and thunderstorms on the central-northern regions
Rome, Italy - An additional notice issued
The effects continue of the announced perturbation of Atlantic origin that is causing conditions of fickleness on the North of the Country, also with snowfalls at low levels. The Italian Civil Defense... more
CuriositiesFrankfurt Airport, clown to entertain children
Frankfurt, Germany - And make less unpleasant the hours spent waiting at the airport
As already announced by our agency, the Frankfurt International Airport's runways are now newly operating (see AVIONEWS). The news comes after days of disruption due to the bad weather that has struck... more
AirportsFinavia: snow, ice or slippery conditions are not a problem at the Finnish airports
Helsinki, Finland - It has invested plenty of resources in Winter maintenance
Finavia has invested plenty of resources in Winter maintenance. In Finland, the airports stay open in spite of snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures. The maintenance units, on call 24 for hours a day, and... more
AerospaceNASA: space shuttle Discovery returns to vehicle assembly building
Cape Canaveral, USA - Tonight
Starting from 10:00 pm today, 21 December 2010, the engineers at "Kennedy Space Center" of Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, will move the space shuttle "Discovery" from the launch pad 39A to the Vehicle Assembly... more
IndustryBoeing delivers Air Austral's first Next-Generation B-737/800 plane
Seattle, Usa - As part of the airline's modernization plan for its medium-haul fleet
Boeing delivered a Next-Generation 737/800 to Air Austral, as part of the airline's modernization plan for its medium-haul fleet. The airplane is the first of two the airline ordered to replace one... more
AirportsAirgest: Trapani-Pescara from the end of March
Trapani, Italy - Twice a week, on Monday and Friday
Starting from tomorrow, December 22 and until December 23 at midnight, it will be possible to book flights to Pescara in the web-site of the airline Ryanair. The new link, operating from March 28, will... more
AirportsFrankfurt Airport: all runways are operating again
Frankfurt, Germany - According to a Fraport spokesperson said
Flights have been taking off and landing by airplanes at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) since 08:30 CET today, following the runway closure due to the sudden and heavy snowfall in the early morning hours. “All t... more
AccidentsCrash of a Bangladesh Air Force airplane
Barisal, Bangladesh - Both pilots died in the crash
In the afternoon of Monday, December 20, 2010, a Nanchang PT-6 airplane, registration number 3510, belonging to the BAF, Bangladesh Air Force, crashed shortly after the take-off from Barisal, 177 km south... more
Military aviationRussia: signed agreement with India on war planes
Moscow, Russia - Based on T-50
On the occasion of the current visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, India and Russia have signed several agreements regarding the fields of Defense, nuclear and space. Rosoboronexport, the official... more
Weather forecastsBad weather in Europe: updating on today's Alitalia flights
Rome, Italy - The national ones are expected to be regular
Because of the freezing wave that has struck Europe, for today Italy has had to limit to six the scheduled flights to London-Heathrow airport (2 with Milan-Linate and 4 with Rome-Fiumicino) because of... more
Weather forecastsAdverse weather conditions: United and Continental extended travel options to and from Europe
Chicago, Usa - Customers travelling to impacted cities may reschedule without penalty
United Continental Holdings, Inc. yesterday expanded travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather in Europe. Weather conditions are expected... more
AirportsStarted the 2010-2011 season of the "Snow's charters" in Turin-Caselle airport
Turin, Italy - Nine special flights carrying a number of skiers from England have landed
In reality, the season started on Sunday, December 12, with a single flight from Manchester/London-Gatwick of the airline Thomson Aw and operated with a Boeing 767/300WL airplane. The number of flights... more
IndustryFinmeccanica: correction note about the inaccuracies in the "Corriere della Sera"'s article
Rome, Italy - In yesterday's edition there were many and heavy mistakes
The article published in yesterday's "Corriere della Sera" and entitled "Nomine. La primavera delle cento poltrone" ("Appointments. One hundred seats' spring") there are numerous and heavy inaccuracies. It... more
Weather forecastsSnowfalls: easyJet gives new flexibility to get disrupted airplane passengers home
London, UK - For the festive period
easyJet, yesterday evening announced that to enable more people to get to their destination in time for the festive period, it is to allow its passengers who have been disrupted to transfer their return... more
AirlinesContinental Airlines and Spanair to start code-share flights
Chicago, Usa - Effective Jan. 4, 2011
Continental Airlines and Spanair, both members of Star Alliance, yesterday announced they will begin codesharing on flights across the Atlantic and to destinations in Spain and Africa. Effective Jan.... more
Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: today snow at low altitude on the North
Rome, Italy - Precipitations until Christmas
A new wave of perturbation, favoured by an Atlantic impulse coming from Spain, will interest today the Italian northern regions and Tuscany and then the remaining part of the Country. The Italian Civil... more
AerospacePaolo Nespoli's work on ISS starts today
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - He will carry out about 30 experiments on several subjects
Begin today the intense work program destined to the Italian Paolo Nespoli, astronaut of ESA, European Space Agency, flight engineer, flight doctor and photographer on board the Soyuz TMA-20 launched from... more
IndustryBoeing and Ethiopian Airlines Partner with Non-Profits to Deliver Needed Medical Supplies
Rome, Italy - Ethiopian Airlines’ 777-200LR carries more than $500K worth of anesthesia equipment to Ethiopia’s largest hospital
Boeing partnered with Ethiopian Airlines and Seattle Anesthesia Outreach (SAO) for this 777/200LR (longer range) delivery to Ethiopian Airlines to transport much needed anesthesia equipment to Black Lion... more
HelicoptersEurocopter completes delivery of 23 EC-135 helicopters for Poland’s LPR
Warsaw, Poland - It's public air medical rescue operator
Poland’s public air medical rescue operator LPR (Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe) has received its final two EC-135 helicopters from the 23 acquired by the Polish Ministry of Health, which are being used t... more
IndustryItalian AMI receives the Tornado IS 86, RET7 series-lead
Brescia, Italy - The ceremony held at Italian Air Force's Ghedi base
Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, has delivered today to the Italian Air Force the Tornado IS86 (MM 7087), the series-lead of 15 aircraft envisaged by Italian Air Force’s IT Basic Full MLU... more
HelicoptersHelibras delivers the first three Eurocopter EC-725 helicopters for the Brazilian Armed Forces
Brasilia, Brazil - In a standard configuration
Eurocopter’s Helicópteros do Brasil (Helibras) subsidiary today delivered the initial three EC-725s for Brazil’s armed forces, marking a key milestone in the program to supply 50 of these medium-sized, mult... more
ReportATV-3 space vehicle from Turin to Bremen in the belly of a "Beluga" airplane
Turin, Italy - In Turin the works on the first elements for ATV-4s and 5s are already begun
The third ICC (Integrated Cargo Carrier) module of the ATV vehicle (Automated Transfer Vehicle) developed for ESA and dedicated to the great Italian physicist, pioneer of the space sciences, Edoardo Amaldi... more
DiscussionsAlenia Aeronautica: Tornado airplane
Rome, Italy - Main technical data
The Tornado is the result of an Italian-British-German industrial partnership created to fulfil the three air forces’ requirement for a long-range interdiction and strike multi-role aircraft, also with r... more
Press releaseBoeing to increase 777 airplane's production rate
Seattle, USA - It's the second production increase announced for the program this year
"Boeing today announced its production rate for the 777 program will increase to 8.3 airplanes per month in the first quarter 2013. This is the second production increase announced for the program this... more
DefenseRussia, new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile
Moscow, Russia - SS-18 Satans will be employed until 2026
Today Yury Solomonov of "MITT", Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, the developer of Bulava missile, announced to "RIA Novosti" that Russia has established in its weapons' acquisition program through... more
Press releaseItalian ENAC: situation normal in the national airports but occurrences due to bad weather in the center and North of Europe
Rome, Italy - The board suggests passengers to contact their airlines before going to the airport
ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) communicates that the situation in national airports today is almost regular also if the continuation of adverse weather conditions in central and northern Europe... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner: ranking of the destinations chosen to celebrate the new year
Trento, Italy - Italian and European
"As it is known, Italy is an excellent destination for all the year and the desire of unforgettable landscapes, delicious food and an immensurable culture, enchants tourists also for the New Year celebration.... more
AirportsBad weather, occurrences to air traffic in Europe continue
London, UK - Thousands of passengers strand in the airports, hundreds of flights cancelled
The freezing continues to rage and to cause discomforts in the air transport throughout Europe, with thousands of passengers unable to leave the airports for hours. Last night, thousands of people were... more
AerospaceGalileo Control Centre inaugurated in Fucino, near L'Aquila, in Italy
Rome, Italy - Telespazio plays leading role in managing the European satellite navigation system
The Control Centre, which will manage the 30 satellites and operational assets of Galileo, Europe's satellite navigation and positioning system, was opened today by Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the... more
HelicoptersMinistry of Justice of Cyprus takes delivery of two AW-139 helicopters
Cascina Costa, Italy - The event marks the entry of the model in the local market
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced that the Ministry of Justice of Cyprus has taken delivery of two AW-139 medium twin engine helicopters during an official ceremony held last Friday in... more
AirlinesAlitalia's fleet renewal continues with the entry of three new Airbus A-320 airplanes
Rome, Italy - The carrier counts an operating fleet of 150 aircraft
Three new Airbus A-320 airplanes into Alitalia's fleet. The first two, already in service, have been named "Umberto Saba" and "Leonardo Sciascia"; the third one, whose delivery is forecast within this... more
IndustryEurofighter Typhoon celebrates further success as the 250th aircraft is delivered
Hallbergmoos , Germany - To the Italian Air Force in a small ceremony at Pratica di Mare base, near Rome
The Eurofighter Typhoon programme, which has delivered 50 aircraft over the past year, celebrated another milestone last Friday as the 250th aircraft is delivered to the customer. IS038 was handed over... more
AirlinesAlitalia and bad weather: today national and intercontinental flights regular
Rome, Italy - Other restrictions to air traffic in Europe. London-Heathrow airport re-opens
Alitalia national and transcontinental flights today are regular. In the northern Europe also today are instead expected delays and cancellations. From this morning the London-Heathrow airport is newly... more
Civil aviationAir traffic: other occurrences due to snow in France
Paris, France - DGAC asks the airlines a 30% flight reduction
Due to snow that continues to fall in France, DGAC, the French Directorate-General of Civil Aviation, warns that also today, on Monday, December 20, 2010, the air traffic in the Ile-de-France airports... more
AccidentsSwitzerland, two dead in air crash
St Moritz, Switzerland - Probably for having hit three power lines
On Sunday, December 19, 2010, at around 02:40 pm, a Hawker Beechcraft 390 Premier IA aircraft registered in Germany, registration number D-IAYL , which had taken off from Zagreb, Croatia, crashed during... more
UAS-DronesPakistan, two US aerial drone attacks
Islamabad, Pakistan - At least 21 victims among the militants
At least 21 men, believed to be militants of the fundamentalist movement Lshkar-e-Islam, died in the two strikes of a US aerial drone in the tribal area of Khyber, in the northern Pakistan, in the border... more
Civil aviationAlitalia: lease purchase contract for 14 Embraer airplanes. For the moment it renounces to Superjet 100
Rome, Italy - Stops the acquisition of the SSJs developed by SCAC in collaboration with Alenia Aeronautica
Alitalia-CAI (Italian airline), contrary to statements made in the air shows of Le Bourget and Fairnborough, according to which it would have acquired Superjet 100s, developed by SCAC, "Sukhoi Civil Aircraft... more
IndustryEADS NA KC-45 tanker program marks milestone with first aerial refuelling contacts from fuselage hose unit
Arlington, Usa - Performed with tanker for the UK Royal Air Force
The fuselage-mounted hose-and-drogue aerial refueling system for the EADS North America KC-45 tanker has performed its first in-flight refueling contacts, with an F/A-18 fighter aircraft. This latest accomplishment... more
Military aviationSAAB, contract for support and services to South Africa fleet's airplanes
Stockholm, Sweden - Signed with ARMSCOR
Swedish SAAB, Svenska Aeroplan AktieBolaget, Swedish Aeroplane Company Limited, has signed a contract with ARMSCOR, Armaments Corporation of South Africa, for the provision of services and support to SAAF,... more
HelicoptersTurkey: by 2020 the first war plane; contract for 123 helicopters neither with Sikorsky nor with Agusta
Ankara, Turkey - These are the topics of the meeting of the defense committee (SSIK)
On Wednesday was held a Turkish Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) meeting, which was also attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, General Isik Kosaner, Chief of Staff, and Defense Minister... more
Military aviationAirbus Military: A-330 MRTT airplane for the RAF has first contacts with the receiver aircraft
London, UK - In a sortie of two hours and 40 minutes
The first Airbus Military A-330 MRTT Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK´s Royal Air Force has successfully completed its first contacts with a receiver aircraft. In a 2 hour 40... more
AirportsBrussels Airport welcomed its 5 millionth passenger
Brussels, Belgium - It's Miss Tara Rogiers
Brussels South Charleroi, welcomed today the 5 millionth passenger of the year. The lucky passenger, miss Tara Rogiers, arrived in Charleroi on a Jetairfly/Jet4you flight from Casablanca. Miss Rogiers... more