AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,342 news found

IndustryFinmeccanica (5): outlook
Rome, Italy - In the single sectors
"Outlook A significant increase in demand for commercial aircraft is expected in 2005, with fleets expected to double over the next 20 years. Also during the year Finmeccanica’s aeronautics division w... more

AirlinesAlitalia: SULT union threatened a new flight assistants' strike
Rome, Italy - The matter regarding flight and service timetable for personnel appears still unsolved, according to the Italian trade union
Italian SULT trade union does not lower its guard in front of Alitalia board and threatens it will resort to a new strike by the Italian national airline’s flight assistants if the company does not decide t... more

AccidentsUS C-130 went down in Albania (2): four bodies have been found
Tirana, Albania - Brindisi Airport had picked up the warning signal from the plane
This morning four corpses would have been found belonging passengers flying on US military C-130 crashed in Albania last night: the area, which is covered by snow up to two meters deep, can be reached... more

AccidentsUS C-130 went down in Albania
Tirana, Albania - Nine occupants flying on the military airplane feared killed
An American Hercules C-130 aircraft, taking part in exercise flight, crashed in Albania with nine passengers on board most likely because of the bad weather. Pilots would have tried an emergency landing... more

IndustryFinmeccanica (2): key figures
Rome, Italy - 2004 was a positive year for Finmeccanica
"Key figures 2004 was a positive year for Finmeccanica. Results were better than expected, both in terms of the balance sheet and the P&L, and were an improvement on 2003, generating satisfactory returns... more

Weather forecastsAir shows and exhibitions in the week end of April
Rome, Italy - From today, Friday 1st to Sunday 3
Friday 01 - Australian Cessna 180/185 Convention. Eulalia Station, Coonamble, New South Wales, Australia. + 61 (0)7 4654 7166 www.skywagon.info - 3rd Annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference... more

IndustryFinmeccanica (13). Performance by sector: Elsag
Rome, Italy - Value of production: EUR 391 million (-2%); EBITA: EUR 14 million (-42%)
"Information Technology Company: Elsag Value of production: EUR 391 million (-2%); EBITA: EUR 14 million (-42%) In 2004, this division, comprising Elsag and its subsidiaries, continued its poor performance... more

Curiosities"Air Force One, USAF orders you to land immediately"
Washington, USA - An embarassing violation of a TFR by the President Bush plane's crew which caused a scramble by two F-16s
The news released by US specialized press certainly appears incredible, but it would seem that someone already feared of it and that occurred. Indications about what happened do not make clear about which... more

IndustryLockheed Martin Corp. awarded of a over 16 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the F-16 and F-15 aircraft
Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $16,105,455 firm fixed price contract to provide for 12 Advanced Targeting Pods, containers, pylons, warranty, spares, and associated support.... more

IndustryGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems awarded of a over 20 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the Predator
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $20,082,837 firm fixed price contract modification to provide for additional Readiness Spares Package Kits for the Predator Program.... more

IndustryBoeing Co. awarded of a over 38 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the E-4B Aircraft
Boeing Co., Wichita, Kan., is being awarded a $38,700,000 cost-plus incentive-fee contract modification to provide for Mod Block One Installation on E-4B Aircraft 75-0125. Total funds have been obligated.... more

IndustryNorthrop Grumman awarded of a over 40 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the F-16 aircraft
Northrop Grumman, Linthicum Heights, Md, is being awarded a $40,275,710.74 cost-plus incentive-fee contract. The procurement of USAF F-16 APG-68 (V) 10 Standard 2 Radar Modernization Program (RMP) Development... more

IndustryMcDonnell Douglas Corp. awarded of a over 41 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the C-17 aircraft
McDonnell Douglas Corp., Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded a $41,645,736 cost-plus fixed-fee contract modification to provide for CCP 0495-Extended Range Fuel Containment System (ERFCS) and On Board... more

PeopleFAA postpones new norms for plane repair divisions
New York, Usa - Presumably in order to meet airlines' exigence not to have higher costs
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) postponed requiring implementation of the regulation lead to aircraft repair stations which requires more strict training standards for employees working in this sector.... more

Science and technologySAGAT: Austrian opens a route to Vienna
Turin, Italy - The air stations where the carrier operates in our country rose up to eight
Austrian opens in Italian Turin-Caselle Airport a route to Vienna, also with reference to the Summer timetable. It is the 8th air station in Italy where the carrier operates. It will use the 50-seats Canadair... more

Science and technologyKenya: airport alert for passengers from Angola
Nairobi, Kenya - Because of new cases of Marburg virus
At least three African nations are on alert after new cases of Marburg virus broken out in Angola. The alert has been issued in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya as well. Kenya’s Health Minister h... more

AirlinesHelvetic.com landed at Brindisi
Brindisi, Italy - A weekly flight bound for Zurich
Swiss Helvetic.com carrier will link Brindisi with Zurich Airport starting today, by a direct flight each Thursday. Ticket price is worth EUR 119. SEAP (Puglia Region airports operator), local authorities,... more

Latest newsA "network enabled" F-16 by 2010
Washington, USA - Some 659 aircraft to be involved by the related upgrades in the United States
Some 650 F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole light fighters will be involved by a remarkable upgrade process through 2010, as aimed to adapt the vehicles in service with US Air Force and Air National Guard... more

Science and technologySingapore asks Australia for a sort of stopover's bridge to fly to Usa
Singapore, Republic of Singapore - After 35 years distance that a simile concession was given to Qantas, Australian flag carrier
After 35 years since the opening of Changi Airport in Singapore, which provided Qantas with a stopover to fly between Australia and Europe, now the Asian counterpart asks Australia for a simile request.... more

AirlinesAlitalia (4): the carrier joined US Cargo Sales Joint Venture
Rome, Italy - Other airlines belonging to the SkyTeam alliance already joined it
Alitalia officially joined US Cargo Sales Joint Venture, an alliance devoted to cargo services to which carriers such as Delta, Korean Air and Air France already belonged starting in 2001 (just the foundation... more

AirlinesThe "Valerio Catullo" that changes (2): some details on Iberia that served the link to Barcelona
Verona, Italy - The connection will be daily with the new Summer season
"The Italian market sees in this link an ulterior mark of the importance that the regional markets recover not only for the new air transport actors, but also for the traditional carriers conscious of... more

AirlinesHellas Jet to still have several chances for its activity
Nicosia, Republic of Cyprus - Some speculation coming from media said the airline was close to ground
It seems there are still several chances for Hellas Jet’s activity to survive, on the contrary of what claimed by some media which indicated the airline close to liquidity. Hellas Jet is Cyprus Airways’ Gre... more

AirlinesContinental Airlines' employees to cut salary
New York, Usa - The deal would help the carrier to save USD 418m a year
Continental Airlines’ work staff, including pilots, mechanics, dispatchers and simulator engineers, have ratified new contracts, which foresee salary cut, to help the airline save USD 418m a year. The c... more

AirlinesBA: it's easy flying with electronic ticket
London, United Kingdom - E-ticket is convenient as well as secure
E-ticket becomes now the standard ticket format for British Airways: tomorrow it will go into effect on all the routes served by the English carrier. E-ticket is an electronic ticketing system that stores... more

Science and technologyThe "Valerio Catullo" that changes: a daily connection to Barcelona and new facilities
Verona, Italy - The newness announced this morning
"A new daily connection between Verona’s Airport ’Valerio Catullo’ and Barcelona: an open gate on the Iberian peninsula and South America. It’s one of the great newness announced this morning at the ’Ca... more

DefensePakistan: new missile test successfully performed
Islamabad, Pakistan - TEsts regard the Abdali short-range ballistic missile
Pakistan has recently announced it has accomplished the trials of the new Abdali (Hatf-II) short-range ballistic missile and Islamabad’s regime proved satisfied about the results achieved. Such weapon s... more

Latest newsA-10: an outstanding team to upgrade the Thunderbolt II
Washington, USA - Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman e BAe to endow the airplane with new avionics and compatibility with new weapon systems
A team consisting of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman e British Aerospace Systems will attend the upgrade of the entire fleet of the A-10 Thunderbolt II (or Warthog as they are named as well) attack and... more

Latest newsHolland: an appraisal on the F-35's rising cost has been requested
Amsterdam, Holland - Labour Party intends to make the causes of such a phenomenon clearer after an investigation carried out in the United States
Dutch Labour Party requested national competent authorities to verify costs for the production and purchase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) multirole light stealth fighter. Holland... more

AirlinesVirgin Group not to sell any of its shares in Virgin Blue
London, United Kingdom - At the current offer of AUS $ 1.90 a share
Virgin Group, the economic empire of the eccentric British billionaire Richard Branson, said it will not sell any of its shares in Virgin Blue at the current offer of AUS $ 1.90 a share. Virgin Group owns... more

AerospaceSpace: Discovery closer and closer to be launched
New York, Usa - The shuttle was rolled from its hangar to Vab (Vehicle Assembly Building)
Space mission lead to Discovery, the shuttle that according to the scheduled launch window should be launched between May, 15, and June, 2, 2005, made another important step closer to launch as the shuttle... more

AccidentsAnother USAF's Predator crashed on the ground in Iraq
Rawah, Iraq - Number of this type of UAV fallen headlong in the Iraqi territory during the last days rose up to two
Number of US Air Force’s General Atomics RQ-1 Predator remote-controlled military airplanes fallen headlong in the Iraqi land during the last days rose up to two. After the accident occurred on last M... more

DefenseUK Conservative Party (2): Tory's defence policy
London, UK - A strong political relation with the USA, national industry reinforcement, keeping embargo against China and new investments
British Conservatives suggest a series of measures to strengthen the defence sector in Great Britain (see for details AVIONEWS). According to the Tory Party, the United Kingdom must consolidate its leading... more

AirlinesVolare Group: technical collaboration with Alitalia for Air Europe services
Milan, Italy - Volare is waiting for two Airbus to resume flights
Beginning from April 2, a code-share agreement with Alitalia will allow to Air Europe to keep sits slots on Linate-Naples and Linate-Palermo routes throughout the month. The Cimoli-led airline will be... more

DefenseUK Conservative Party: here are the Labour defence policy's lacks
London, UK - Criticism against an excessively pro-European policy by Blair and the shortage of equipments
United Kingdom’s Conservative Party has recently expressed its opinion regarding the defence policy carried out by the Blair-led Government, pointing out what are, according to its view, the lacks of t... more

AirlinesJapan’s Aviation Chief to visit Jal's operative division
Tokyo, Japan - It is rather unusual that an high Japanese government official personally effectuates a tour at the operative division of an airline
Though it is rather unusual that an high Japanese Government official personally effectuates a tour at the operative division of an airline, this is what happened on Monday when Japan’s Aviation Chief w... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-330, A-340/200, and A-340/300 series airplanes
Washington, Usa - To prevent degraded operation of the THSA due to the entrance of water into the ball nut
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: March 30, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 60)] [Page 16104-16109] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, - 30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes; and Model DC-9-81 (MD-81) and DC-9- 82 (MD-82) Airplanes
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct fatigue cracking in the upper and lower caps of the rear spar of the left and right wings, which could result in structural failure of the wings
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: March 30, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 60)] [Page 16098-16101] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on General Electric Company CF6-45A, CF6- 50A, CF6-50C, and CF6-50E series turbofan engines
Washington, Usa - To prevent uncontained failure of the engine and possible damage to the airplane caused by failure of TMF strut studs
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: March 30, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 60)] [Page 16096-16098] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct cracks or defects that could result in a fracture of the outer cylinder of the MLG, which could lead to collapse of the MLG during landing
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: March 30, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 60)] [Page 16101-16104] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more

AirlinesOman Air purchases its sixth B-737
Muscat, Oman - The plane has just been delivered to the carrier
Oman Air announced the delivery of its sixth B-737 acquired by Boeing. The plane left the plants of Seattle in last week-end to arrive on Sunday at Seeb International Airport of Muscat, the capital of... more

IndustryEmbraer to start the development of new types of executive jets
Brasilia, Brazil - In the coming months
The Brazilian industry which produces aircraft, Embraer, announced that in the coming months it will start to develop new types of executive jets (the planes traditionally used by private firms): the announcement... more

DefenseItalian militaries engaged into Praesidium's mission
Kabul, Afghanistan - Italy will head the Prt, a team of reconstruction by means of which Nato wants to expand its presence into the country
It will start today the Italian engagement, by means of Praesidium’s mission, which will see militaries but even civil men in Herat (Afghanistan) to head the Prt (Provincial Reconstruction Team), a team o... more

DefenseSpain to provide maritime patrolling planes to Colombia and Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela - Lula and Uribe express solidarity to Chavez against the USA's criticism
A four-nations meeting occurred in Venezuela yesterday involving the major institutional leading representatives from Spain, Colombia, Brazil and the hosting country itself (see for details AVIONEWS).... more

AirlinesLufthansa takes over about 84 per cent of Swiss
Zurich, Switzerland - By means of the holding AirTrust
Major shareholders of Swiss International Airlines, which include banks Credit Suisse and UBS besides the group AMAG, sold 83.96 percent of the carrier to AirTrust, the holding through which Lufthansa... more

AirlinesAlitalia (3): "No clash in the board, only some difference of opinion"
Rome, Italy - The carrier put it into evidence to AVIONEWS regarding the supposed quarrel between personnel's Director and the operational one on the union deals enforcement
AVIONEWS asked Alitalia for expressing its own opinion regarding the warning signal called by the Italian trade unions with reference to the supposed clashes in the board between personnel’s Director C... more

Sport aviationFivl: Paragliding World Championships ended in Brazil
Turin, Italy - With the presence of 150 pilots representing 42 countries, 32 women in competition
"Governador Valadares, in Brazil, the Paragliding World Championships ended with the presence, over the expectation, of 150 pilots representing 42 Countries, 32 women in competition. Thanks to the temperate... more

PeopleAir Transport: the years 2002-2004 the most secure in Usa
New York, Usa - In particular in 2004 the number of air incidents fell 8 per cent compared to the previous year
According to some preliminary information coming from National Transportation Safety Board the three years 2002-2004 were, for air transport in Usa, the most secure one in the history of civil aviation.... more

Latest newsThe Italian-European tour of "Frecce Tricolori"
Udine, Italy - 37 air shows to celebrate its 45th anniversary
The Italian 313th Aerobatic Training Squadron "Frecce Tricolori" based at Rivolto (Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region) Airport is going to celebrate its 45th anniversary. This event will be commemorated... more

AirlinesAirbus: a facility to produce the KC-330 in the USA
Toulouse, France - The infrastructural requirements have been released and Arizona would have already announced its candidacy
EADS-Airbus released the requirements for the construction of a plant in the United States dedicated to the production of the special aerial refuelling version of the A-330 (named KC-330). Airbus is asking... more

AirlinesAlitalia (2): unions' protests on mobility also for technicians
Rome, Italy - In the meantime, Margherita political alliance asked Authority for Competition to verify the requirements of Ryanair's promotions against Alitalia's fares
Flight assistants represented by Italian trade union UGL will participate to the strike called by this class in Alitalia on next April 19, together with CGIL and CISL unions. And after debates on flying... more