AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
102,482 news found
PeopleICAO: preliminary traffic figures for 2005
Montreal, Canada - Show an increase of about 5.5 per cent over 2004 for total and international scheduled traffic of the world’s airlines
"Preliminary traffic figures for 2005, released last Thursday by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), show an increase of about 5.5 per cent over 2004 for total and international scheduled... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes (2005-25-26)
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct corrosion, which can penetrate the thickness of the skin and cause cracking, and result in rapid decompression of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 241)] [Page 74639-74640] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes (2005-25-25)
Washington, Usa - To prevent corrosion of the input override mechanism bearings of the lateral central control actuator, which, in the event of a subsequent jam in the pilot's aileron control system, could result in failure of the aileron override system
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 241)] [Page 74645-74647] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 737 airplanes (2005-26-03)
Washington, Usa - To prevent loss of elevator control and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 241)] [Page 74647-74649] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes (2005-25-24)
To prevent damage and eventual fracture of the yoke assembly, pin assembly, and attachment bolts that connect the inboard and outboard PCUs to a flaperon, which could lead to the flaperon becoming unrestrained and consequently departing from the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 241)] [Page 74641-74645] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
Latest newsItalian Air Force's F-16 intercepted an "Absent-minded" Russian aircraft
Cervia, Italy - Apparently devoid of authorization to fly over Italian air space, but its pilot had forgotten to notify the due data to ground operators yesterday
Italian Air Force resorted to a scramble from Cervia (Ravenna) Base yesterday. A F-16 light fighter from the 5th Wing took off to intercept a Russian airplane apparently devoid of the due authorization... more
Civil aviationIran: North Korean ballistic missiles have been purchased
Teheran, Iran - It would have been revealed by German intelligence services which would have indicated an Islamic Republic's intention to extend their range
Germany’s intelligence services would have unveiled that the Iranian Islamic Republic would have purchased 18 North Korean-made medium range ballistic missiles. Intention would be the one of modifying t... more
Weather forecastsAir shows and exhibitions in the third week of December
Rome, Italy - From today, Monday 19 to next Monday 26
Monday 19 - The Royal Australian Air Force Balloon display for Camp Quality. Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia. www.raaf.gov.au/balloons www.campquality.org.au - Paragliding - 2005 All-Africa... more
AirlinesAlitalia: unions asked for a new meeting with Italian Government
Rome, Italy - A request suggested by UGL, FIT CISL, FILT CGIL, and UIL Trasporti
Alitalia Express pilots’ strike held on last December 17 (from 12:00 to 04:00 pm) did not particularly affected Rome-Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport, but representatives from UGL trade union appear c... more
IndustrySmiths Aerospace Inc. awarded of a near 10 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For 52 AV-8B Warfare Mission Computers
Smiths Aerospace Inc., Electronic Systems, Grand Rapids, Mich., is being awarded a $9,826,024 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously awarded requirements contract (N00019-04-D-0080) for the... more
IndustryMcDonnell Douglas Corp. awarded of a over 10 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the AV-8B Harrier
McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a not to exceed $10,154,633 indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, cost-plus fixed-fee contract... more
DefenseMost important news of the week: The Eurofighter and the Raptor "Rejuvenate" NATO air defence
Rome, Italy - Belgium selected the NH-90 medium multi-purpose helicopter
The Eurofighter and the F-22 are combat ready respectively in Italy and the USa, Belgium selected the NH-90, Eurocopter won the bid for the future South Korean helicopter. These are the major news in the... more
PeopleMost important news of the week: Nigerian DC-9 fell headlong, 107 died
Rome, Italy - Two Italian Air Force's Generals discharged about the Ustica disaster
A terrible air accident in Nigeria, Ustica disaster and the selection of the 787 by Qantas dominate the civil aviation sector from December 10 to 18. Accidents - A Nigerian Sosoliso Airlines’ DC-9 f... more
AirlinesThird German destination for Qatar Airways
Berlin, Germany - It started the new route Doha-Berlin
The Qatar-based airline added a third destination in Germany launching the non-stop connection from Doha to Berlin-Tegel International Airport. The new flight will be operated four times per week and is... more
PeopleCalifornia: DC-3 70th anniversary at San Carlos Airport
Washington, USA - The event has been arranged by the Hiller Aviation Museum
The Hiller Aviation Museum celebrates today, December 17, 2005, by San Carlos Airport (California) the 70th anniversary of the legendary DC-3 aircraft. The Douglas Aircraft Company made taking off the... more
PeopleNigeria: a task force to improve country's aviation
Abuja, Nigeria - It needs a strict tightening up after recent air disasters
Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo, will inaugurate next Monday a government task force that should improve aviation’s fortunes troubled by air safety problems which have caused two air incidents kil... more
Latest newsPakistan: two F-16s from the USA, a special thanks for fighting terror
Islamabad, Pakistan - An updated version compared to the Fighting Falcons already in service with Pakistani Air Force
As a consequence of the great contribution ensured to the United States in the war on international terror, Washington decided to award Pakistan by transferring two updated F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole... more
HelicoptersAgustaWestland: Italian Navy NH-90 first flight
Cascina Costa, Italy - The flight lasted 35 minutes
"AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announces that the first Italian Navy serial production NH-90 took to the air on Thursday the 15th of December at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate facility in Italy. T... more
Press releaseAlitalia on the capital increase: final results of the offer
Rome, Italy - This operation has been concluded successfully
Alitalia unveiled that all the shares have been accepted regarding the capital increase operation. So, such a step proved fully successful. Also the remaining 7,401,316 shares were involved. So, capital... more
PeopleEU: an absolute support for disabled persons in the air transport by the new Regulation approved yesterday
Strasbourg, France - As almost unanimously approved by EU Parliament, it will be fully effective by no more than two years
An almost unanimous approval by the EU Parliament for the new European Regulation which schedules clear rights for disabled people in the air transport (see for details AVIONEWS). With 506 ayes (6 noes... more
Press releaseENAC: signed agreement for a social discussion table about "Single European sky" regulations
Rome, Italy - A MoU has been signed today
"ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority), the unions and flight assistance’s professional associations unveiled to have signed today, a MoU for starting a social discussion table. The agreement is finalized t... more
Fair and showsBoeing Board elected a new lead Director
Chicago, Usa - Kenneth Duberstein, 61, has served on the industry's board since 1997
The Boeing Company announced yesterday that its board of directors has elected Kenneth M. Duberstein lead director, replacing Lew Platt who passed away earlier this year. Duberstein, 61, has served on... more
Latest newsJapan: two SAAB 340s for SAR missions
Tokyo, Japan - Deliveries by the end of 2006
Japanese Coast Guard will deploy two SAAB 340 airplanes for Search and Rescue operations. The order addressed to Swedish SAAB schedules to modify two civil version-based airframes, which will be endowed... more
AirlinesHemus Air: web site to be able for online reservation from January 16
Sophia, Bulgaria - The Bulgarian carrier is continuing its modernization operation
Services of Bulgarian carrier Hemus Air can be reserved online starting from next January 16. The web site will be in operation on January 16, 2006 as a part of the large process of modernization and costs... more
Science and technologySave selected to negotiate Airest's acquisition
Venice, Italy - Veneto's company's press release
Airest, Airest Restaurant-und Hotelbetriebsgesellschafth, is the company controlling Food & Beverage at the airports of Vienna, Salisburg, Graz, Linz, Klagenfurt and Lubiana in Slovenia. Airgest also carries... more
AirlinesChina Eastern Airlines had excellent results over the first 11 months in 2005
Shanghai, China - Both passenger and cargo traffic have grown
China Eastern Airlines had good performance over the first 11 months in 2005. From January 1st to November 30 it carried more than 22 million passengers, 2.49 million only in September to +76% on annual... more
Science and technologyCopenhagen Airport: Macquarie Airports offer has been accepted
Copenhagen, Denmark - USD 2.5 billion offer for Koebenhavns Lufthavne's shares
The USD 2.5 billion offer of Macquarie Airports to purchase shares in Koebenhavns Lufthavne, Copenhagen’s airports management company, has been accepted by shareholders holding 52.4% of shares (see for d... more
DefenseSudan: the return of task force "Leone" has started
Khartoum, Sudan - It won an approval for support given after vice-president Garang's death
Italian troops of task force "Leone" departed from Khartoum International Airport to come back Pisa after six month passed in Sudan for mission UNMIS (United Nations Mission in Sudan). The Italian contingent... more
Science and technologyUnique punished with fine by Swiss anti-trust watchdog
Berna, Switzerland - Comco, Helvetic Anti-trust watchdog reported it
Unique, Zurich-kloten Airport operator company, will have to pay 248,000 francs to the Swiss anti-trust watchdog for failing to follow a rule on airport parking service. The inquiry started in December... more
Latest newsTaiwan: anti-ship missiles against the Chinese harbours in case of invasion
Taipei, Taiwan - It could be the new Formosa's defence strategy in case of attack by the Chinese People Republic
Equipping more military aircraft with anti-ship missiles to hit the Chinese People Republic’s harbours. It would deal with the new Taiwan’s defence strategy against the risk of an invasion by the Beijing’s armed... more
AirlinesGovernment authorized Air India to buy 50 Boeing aircraft
New Delhi, India - Additional 18 aircraft will be assigned to affiliate airlines
Air India received the Government’s clearance for acquiring new aircraft to continue its expansion policy. Through its Economy Affairs Committee, Indian Government authorized the purchase of 50 Boeing p... more
Weather forecastsItalian Air Force: the "Frecce Tricolori" at the Alpine Ski World Cup
Rome, Italy - Next Sunday a breathtaking fly by over the snow-covered mountains in Val Badia
"On Sunday December 18th at 12:15pm, the Italian Aerobatic Team ’Frecce Tricolori’ will perform a breathtaking fly-by over the Alpine Ski World Cup Alta Badia. The 9 pilots, flying the Italian jet Aer... more
DefenseThe 17th Regiment anti-aircraft artillery "Sforzesca" of Sabaudia returned in Italy
Latina, Italy - It passed six months in Bosnia-Herzegovina
The 17th Regiment anti-aircraft artillery "Sforzesca" based at "Santa Barbara" barracks in Sabaudia (Latina, Central Italy), returned in Italy today after six months passed in the Balkans as a part of... more
HelicoptersPawan Hans: two Dauphins for off-shore operations
New Dheli, India - The Indian company has got a fleet of some 21 AS-365s in various versions
Pawan Hans, as an important Indian company based in New Dheli and competent for providing helicopter transport services all over the country, purchased two Eurocopter AS-365N3 choppers and intends to request... more
IndustryFinmeccanica signs agreement with the Region of Abruzzo to expand the Fucino space centre
Rome, Italy - Telespazio station (Finmeccanica/Alcatel) chosen as a Galileo control centre
"The President of the Italian Region of Abruzzo, Ottaviano del Turco, and Finmeccanica Chairman and CEO, Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, today signed a framework agreement to promote industrial growth and... more
Government actsQuestion Time: Alitalia pilots' training
Rome, Italy - By Hon. Marco Zacchera (AN)
Italian Deputy Hon. Zacchera intended to understand if Italian Government want to act to verify the supposed payments by pilots for training courses set by Alitalia in the past, to which hiring not necessary... more
AerospaceAriane 5: last 2005 mission on December 21
Paris, France - It will put into orbit an Indian satellite and a European device
The last launch of the current year for an Ariane 5 rocket carrier will happen from French Guyana on December 21. The rocket has been almost fully set and its task will be the one of putting into orbit... more
Civil aviationSlovakian Parliament cleared Armed Forces to shut down aircraft failing to follow landing order
Bratislava, Slovakia - The rule will enter into force next February 1st
From Febraury 1st 2006 Slovakian Armed Forces should shot down all aircraft that fail to follow the order of immediate landing issued by Slovakian authorities to planes entering country’s airspace without c... more
PeopleARJ-21: is it a "Chinese" DC-9?
Beijing, China - Some experts underlined the aesthetic similarity of the new Chinese regional jet with the well known McDonnell-Douglas' airplane
China will be watching its first regional jet/short range airliner flying in 2008. It deals with the ARJ-21, produced by Chinese aerospace company AVIC I, and operational activities should start in 2009.... more
Latest newsUSAF: a "Bonus" to the F-15 to postpone retirement
Washington, USA - The fighters to be upgraded when considering the reduction of the Raptors' number ordered by the armed force
The recent combat readiness of the first unit provided with the F-22A Raptor fighters (see for details AVIONEWS) certainly generated excitement among US Air Force, but the armed force’s representatives p... more
AirlinesVolare may be sold within the end of the year
Milan, Italy - More than 700 workers could know their new employers already on December 31
They were only rumors, but December 31 term within which more than 700 dependents of Volare may know their new employers appears probable. Take-over bids arrived at the Italian airline for acquiring the... more
PeopleElectrochromic glasses: a touch of high-tech privacy for the Dreamliner's passengers
Washington, USA - Designed by PPG, these windows are able to darken by a simple electric impulse
Among the several fresh devices that the 787 Drealiner’s passengers are going to find on the new airliner, there is certainly the one concerning lateral windows, practically devoid of the traditional p... more
MiscellaneousAdditional Israeli raids overnight
Gaza, Strip of Gaza - The new attack followed rockets launched by Islamic Jihad militants
Third consecutive raid overnight operated by Israeli Air Force on the Strip of Gaza. Palestinians had launched a Qassam II rocket last evening causing no victim among residents of Ashkelon area (Southern... more
Science and technologyRafael: "A soft impact, let's try our Air Bag"
Tel Aviv, Israel - An enterprising safety system for helicopters under testing as requested by US Navy
US Navy requested to Israeli Rafael (competent also for the production of weapons for military aircraft) to develop a special safety system to limit damages on helicopters in case of impact with the ground... more
Government actsQuestion Time: use of white phosphorous munitions at Capo Teulada shooting range
Rome, Italy - By Hon. Elettra Deiana (Rifondazione Comunista)
Italian Deputy Hon. Deiana asked Italian Minister of Defence for making clear which is his point of view about the use of white phosphorous munitions at Sardinia’s Capo Teulada shooting range as it seems t... more
Civil aviationVenezuelan plane landed on its belly
Caracas, Venezuela - A Conviasa's Dash-7 suffered for problems with its undercarriage's right wheels
A four-engine turboprop Dash-7 aircraft operated by Conviasa airline has been forced yesterday to land on its belly with 40 passengers departed from Caracas: after finding problems with plane’s undercarriage, p... more
AirlinesWind Jet offers 60,000 seats at EUR 1
Rome, Italy - Italian carrier will start new non-stop connections from Catania and Palermo to Paris as from MArch 27 2006
Italian low-cost carrier Wind Jet offered 60,000 seats at EUR 1 price to fly throughout Italy from January to March. Connecting the web site www.volawindjet.it or calling the call center number 899 809060... more
AirlinesAlitalia: a green light for the mortgage on 28 fleet airplanes
Rome, Italy - So, some EUR 371m have been recovered and they will prove useful with reference to the EUR 400m bridge-loan return
Alitalia recovered some EUR 371m to be used regarding the EUR 400m bridge-loan return and it was possible by a mortgage involving 28 airplanes from its fleet (consisting of a total amount of more than... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-330/300, A-340/200, and A-340/300 series airplanes (2005-25-20)
Washington, Usa - To prevent cracking of the fuselage skin in the area of the VHF2 antenna, which could result in depressurization of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 239)] [Page 73925-73930] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-330/243, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 TRENT 700 engines (2005-25-21)
Washington, Usa - To prevent fatigue cracking of the hinges integrated into the 12 o'clock beam of the thrust reversers, which could result in separation of a thrust reverser from the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 239)] [Page 73919-73921] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more