AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,387 news found

DefenseUS submarines in Sardinia: Region-US Embassy meeting on departure
Cagliari, Italy - The United States confirmed their committment and Sardinia Governor Soru thanked them but Italian authorities will have to face employment consequences
Sardinia Region President, Renato Soru, met two US Embassy representatives yesterday. They obviously gathered in order to talk about the American submarines departure from La Maddalena and the US representatives... more

HelicoptersKuwait: two Dauphins for border protection
Kuwait City, Kuwait - The helicopters to be deployed also to face Islamic terrorism
Kuwait’s Interior Ministry will be able to strengthen national border monitoring activities and country’s protection against Islamic radicalism thanks to the acquisition of two Eurocopter Dauphin helicopters. Ara... more

DefenseEADS: German air space protection to be more effective
Berlin, Germany - A new IFF system to be available for the European country's radars in time for World Soccer Championship 2006
EADS will attend to improve German defensive capabilities concerning the air space protection in time for World Soccer Championship 2006 scheduled in the country next Summer. On such an occasion, it will... more

Press releaseAlitalia: net financial status on October 31, 2005
Rome, Italy - Honouring CONSOB's requests, carrier releases information about its net financial status
Alitalia’s net financial status on October 31 2005 consisted of EUR 1718m with a partial increase of debt. It was released after a CONSOB’s request concerning it. Financial leasing exist about the fle... more

IndustryLockheed Martin Corp. awarded of a over 29 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the F-16
Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $29,419,876 cost-plus fixed fee contract to provide for support of the F-16 Development, Test and Evaluation at Edwards and Eglin Air Force... more

IndustrySikorsky Aircraft Corp. awarded of a over 8 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the VH-3D/VH-60N Presidential Helicopter
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded an $8,241,615 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-03-C-0006) to extend the period of performance of the Special... more

IndustryRolls Royce Corp. awarded of a over 9 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the Marine Corps KC-130J
Rolls Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $9,062,613 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-03-D-0002) to exercise an option for logistics... more

HelicoptersCzech Republic: 26 Russian helicopters are arriving
Prague, Czech Republic - It deals with 16 Mil Mi-171s and 10 Mi-35s
A total number of 26 military helicopters is scheduled for the Czech Republic’s armed forces which is about to take delivery of these aircraft. It deals in particular with 17 Mil Mi-171 transport choppers a... more

DefenseMeans and materials for Albanian armed forces
Tirana, Albania - "Major" ship has docked at Durazzo's harbour yesterday
"’Major’ cargo ship has docked yesterday, November 29, at the Durazzo’s harbour with onboard means and materials worth of about EUR 2m gave by Italian Defense to Albanian Armed Forces. The cargo will... more

PeopleA "softer" GEnx for the 747-8
Washington, USA - It will be the same engine scheduled for the Dreamliner but with some differences in terms of thrust, turbine stages and fan
General Electric is setting a special version of its GEnx turbofan to be destined to the new variant of the Boeing 747 Jumbo, the 747-8. It deals with a solution which practically proves similar to the... more

AirlinesCode share agreement between Air One and US Airways
Rome, Italy - Confluence is in the route linking Philadelphia to the Italian capital
US passengers are closer to Italy as well as Italian travellers come closer to America. Air One and US Airways ensured it as they signed a code share agreement with important mutual advantages. Who arrives... more

IndustryAirbus and China closer and closer
Beijing, China - The signature of the French-Chinese cooperation's documents linked to the aviation is near
"Currently Airbus’ airplanes fill already a third in the passengers aircraft’s market of the Chinese civil aviation, and China hopes that to continue to reinforce the cooperation with Airbus", Zhao Jun... more

SecurityAir transport: Lunardi postponed strikes scheduled in December
Rome, Italy - Protests have been delayed till an unclear date
A quiet December concerning strike for those who travel by plane: Italian Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Pietro Lunardi decided it by postponing them "In order to avoid a serious and irreparable... more

AirlinesAirlines' anti-paedophilia measures: legal actions against carriers in Australia and New Zealand
Sydney, Australia - Male passengers forced to move away if sat by an alone minor's side
A debate is growing in Australia and New Zealand about airlines’ practice forbidding men to sit near a minor alone. In particular, Green Parties and a group of demonstrators for civil freedom were among t... more

AirlinesLufthansa: more routes and services in Winter 2005/2006
Frankfurt, Germany - New links and frequencies for Italy and other international/intercontinental destinations
Lufthansa has improved its services since late October for the Winter season by opening new routes (some of which starting early next year) both with reference to Italy and the rest of its international/intercontinental... more

PeoplePuglia: funds to open new international air routes
Bari, Italy - There will be at least EUR 600,000 for European destinations
Italian Puglia Region approved recently a measure to support among the other things its air transport. Part of the concrete EUR 42m provided for real steps will be an advantage for the airport system in... more

AirlinesBritish Airways: fewer managers to cut costs
London, UK - Some 597 employees in two years, about a 35% of management division
A job cuts plan in order to significantly lower costs had been scheduled for a long time for British Airways. The rising fuel price made everything harder for the British major carrier, so that the airline... more

DefenseUzbekistan: NATO about to leave
Tashkent, Uzbekistan - Government's decision could affect operations in Afghanistan
Uzbekistan would not consider the departure of the US forces from its territory as sufficient and it would intend to ask NATO troops for leaving as well (see for details AVIONEWS). Diplomatic relations... more

HelicoptersEstonia: entry in Schengen starts by the AB-139
Tallin, Estonia - A helicopter has been bought to be deployed for border monitoring in the Baltic country
Estonian Interior Ministry ordered an AB-139 helicopter to perform border monitoring and protection missions within the EU’s rules related to the Schengen zone, while waiting for joining such ruling i... more

IndustryBoeing delivered first B-777/300ER with fuel-efficiency enhancements to Air France
Everett, Usa - The industry plans to incorporate these changes into the 27 models currently in service
The Boeing Company has delivered to Air France the first Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplane that includes enhancements that improve the overall fuel efficiency of the 777-300ER by 1.4 percent.... more

Government actsEuropean Parliament: question on safety of ATR aircraft
Strasbourg, France - By Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE)
"Written question P-3803/05 by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) to the Commission Subject: safety of ATR aircraft On 6 August 2005, 16 people died when their plane crashed into the sea off Palermo. They... more

AccidentsUkraine: friendly fire during a military exercise, two soldiers died
Kiev, Ukraine - A tank would have hit the two soldiers due to a mistake, seriously wounding a third one
Two soldiers were killed and one seriously wounded: this the tragic result of a military exercise held in Ukraine yesterday, due to a fatal mistake. A tank of Ukrainian Army would have fired against a... more

Government actsEuropean Parliament: question on transparency of military expenditure
Strasbourg, France - By Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL)
"Written question E-3248/05 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: transparency of military expenditure Responsibility for foreign, security and defence policy lies primarily with... more

AccidentsIndia: problems affecting the Dhruv helicopters
New Dheli, India - After an accident which would have involved an aircraft on last November 25 due to a tail rotor failure; all the other choppers have been grounded
Indian authorities competent for aviation decided to ground all the HAL Dhruv helicopters in the country after an accident which involved a vehicle of this type on last November 25. This event follows... more

Government actsEuropean Parliament: question on defence and survival of the European armaments industry
Strasbourg, France - By Carl Lang (NI)
"Written question P-3580/05 by Carl Lang (NI) to the Commission Subject: defence and survival of the European armaments industry During the proceedings of the third Summer University for Defence... more

AerospaceNASA wants the Moon
Washington, USA - It is even ready to accept a reduction of the Space Shuttles' flights in order to perform a new lunar mission by the available funds
NASA could be forced to delay the beginning of new space explorations due to budget reasons. New missions towards the Moon by producing a new spacecraft could be affected by the financial situation and... more

AirlinesUS Airways: twenty A-350s have been bought
Paris, France - Contract is worth around USD 3bn
US Airways turned the purchase promise for twenty A-350s signed last May into an order. Promise was a result of a compromise between the US carrier and the European consortium, as the bad financial conditions... more

DefenseUkraine: Government confirmed its intention to join the Atlantic Alliance
Kiev, Ukraine - Defence Vice-minister Mykola Neschadym said
Ukraine intends to join NATO. It asked for it in the past and Defence Vice-minister Mykola Neschadym confirmed it during a speech at an international conference held in Berlin. He said it would be a contribution... more

HelicoptersAgustaWestland: a new facility for the AB-139 in the USA
Philadelphia, USA - It will be completed by next year
After acquiring the full ownership of the AB-139 programme (see for details AVIONEWS), AgustaWestland is ready to carry on its production in American homeland by a new facility in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania).... more

AccidentsATR-72 Tuninter accident (2): Palermo Attorney took delivery of documents from ATR company
Bari, Italy - ATR had recommended proper modifications for the fuel indicator system
Palermo Attorney took delivery, concerning the investigation on the ATR-72 Tuninter accident, documents by which the Italian-French consortium ATR would have "recommended" airlines operating the ATR-42s... more

AccidentsATR-72 Tuninter accident: survivors to be heard by Judges on December 1st
Bari, Italy - Their deposition will be useful to find disaster reasons
Survivors of the accident which affected the Tuninter’s aircraft will be heard by Judges in Bari on next December 1st (see aldo AVIONEWS). Safe passengers, 23 persons, will witness to two magistrates f... more

PeopleThe A-380 proves too "Turbulent" in ICAO's opinion
Montreal, Canada - Organization's assessments would have highlighted remarkable turbolences compared to the average so that distances could be increased
In-flight turbolences generated by wakes produced by the A-380’s wingtips could need a significant increase of distances by other aircraft from the flying giant, according to recent estimations provided b... more

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