AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,376 news found

IndustryEads chose Messier Dowty for A-400M
Toulose, France - He will supply landing gears for the new military aircraft
Among the different bidders Eads chose Messier Dowty for the landing gear supply for the new military aircraft A-400M. The choice is based on two reasons: first, because it represents the best technical... more

Government actsThe European Commission clears merger between Air France and KLM subject to conditions
Rome, Italy - The airline companies must surrender of 94 single take-off and landing slots per day
The European Commission has authorised the concentration between Air France and KLM after the companies successfully resolved concerns about reduced competition, mainly between Paris and Amsterdam and... more

AirlinesAir France-Klm merger (4)
Paris, France - The two airlines express their satisfaction
After the green light received yesterday by the European Commission, Air France and Klm, expressed their satisfaction for Brussels' decision in a joined press release. The heads of the companies believe... more

AirlinesAir France-Klm merger (3)
Rome, Italy - US green light
United States have also given the green light to Air France-Klm merger. It's the French carrier to announce it after having received the news by US Justice Department that confirmed to approve the two... more

Latest newsSuper Hornet, the "real" multirole fighter
St. Louis, USA - Further APG-79 radars to be provided in march for U.S. Navy's F/A-18E
Further AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) Apg-79 radars will be produced in March for the last medium-light multirole fighter F/A-18 Hornet's versions of U.S. Navy, the F/A-18E Super Hornet (with... more

AirlinesLow-cost companies have increased in 2003
Rome, Italy - They have achieved the 1% of total market
Low-cost companies progress has moved on even during the last year. This fact has been announced by Omt's World Tourism Barometer which has indicated a market share increase related to those carriers.... more

AirlinesAlitalia-Air France alliance (2)
Brussels, Belgium - Amelia Torres, Competition spokesperson speaks
The Alitalia-Air France alliance should receive the green light shortly. To say so is the spokesperson of the commissioner for Competition, Amelia Torres, who explains that for this alliance the procedure... more

AirlinesAir France-Klm merger (2)
Brussels, Belgium - The carriers will give the slots up
Air France and Klm, after having received the approval for their merger, informed the Commission to be willing to give the Amsterdam-Milan and the Amsterdam-Rome slots up. These cessions are necessary... more

AirlinesAlitalia and Air France alliance: Monti asks some explanations
Brussels, Belgium - They are necessary to protect competition
After the EU Commission's green light to Air France and Klm alliance, the Commissioner for Competition, Mario Monti, asks some explanations about the future strategic Alitalia-Air France alliance. Monti... more

AirlinesGreen light to Air France and Klm merger
Brussels, Belgium - The airlines reassured the Commission about its competition worries
Yesterday evening the European Commission gave the green light to Klm and Air France merger. It did so after that the two carriers reassured the European executive about the concerns on competition decrease.... more

Science and technology"Treviso towards Europe in two hours"
Treviso, Italy - New "San Giuseppe" Airport has been inaugurated
New Treviso "San Giuseppe" Airport has been inaugurated. This new airport seems to have the ability of producing a traffic of some one million passengers a year. This efficiency and functionality aim has... more

AirlinesAlitalia is waiting for Air France but, at present, it does not worry its competitors
Brussels, Belgium - The air company lacks in competitiveness , according to pilots and customers
Alitalia has to solve some problems waiting for the development of the project concerning a commercial alliance with Air France. While this one and KLM have gained the European Commission approval on their... more

Science and technologyTwo years hardship for Zurich-Kloten after the privatization
Zurich, Switzerland - "We are one of the more independent airports", the manager said
Positive budget in the last two years for the Zurich-Kloten airport, privatized in 2000, in spite of a net indebtedness for CHF 2bn: has declared the Director of Unique (Manager of the Helvetic airport),... more

AirlinesAir Malta in Catania to link La Vallettee to London
Catania, Italy - Air Malta to implement travels to London by passing on Fontanarossa Airport since May 2
Malta is going to accede definitively in European Union on May 1st and its national airline will follow with its services just the day after through Catania's airport. Air company's Executive Director,... more

Science and technology"Much ado for nothing" for Breganzona's end Muzzano's citizens
Agno, Switzerland - Claims there have been against approaching ceiling reduction at Agno Airport but the Court does not suspend it
New rules on landing approaching on airport have come into force since November 1st during last year for airplanes in Switzerland. These rules have reduced the ceiling bounds for reasons dealing with safety,... more

AerospaceUSD 10m to start space travels by private hand
Washington, USA - There are 27 companies competing for this prize
Private space trips age appears to be closer due to the competition in order to gain USD 10m in the so called "X Prize" competition for which even 27 companies are presently competing. To gain such a financing,... more

AirportsMafia aims to Sigonella's contracts
Catania, Italy - Seven persons have been arrested by Catania's DIA
Anti-mafia investigative authority (DIA) of Catania has arrested seven persons as a consequence of an investigation on possible mafia-like infiltrations into contract procedures concerning Sigonella military... more

IndustryEmbraer: food aid "weighed in" passengers
Sao Paulo, Brazil - Industry to support President Lula's "hunger zero" program by an interesting initiative
Embraer company has promoted an important initiative in order to aid Brazilian society pour ranges. On the occasion of the new ERJ-190 airplane presentation ceremony, Embraer President has announced in... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) model 4101 airplanes
Washington, Usa - To find and fix cracking of the casing of the nose landing gear (NLG), which could result in failure of the NLG, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane during takeoff and landing
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2001-NM-355-AD; Amendment... more

Press releaseAirbus: Air Caledonie International becomes new A-320 operator
Toulouse, France - The airline already flies two Airbus A-330/200s
"Air Caledonie International has taken delivery of its first Airbus A-320, becoming a new operator of the type. It plans to use it on flights from its base in Noumea, New Caledonia, to Australia, New Zealand,... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Learjet model 31, 31A, 35, 35A (C-21A), 36, and 36A airplanes
Usa - To prevent significant structural damage to the engine pylons, possible separation of the engines from the fuselage, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2001-NM-366-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes
Usa - To find and fix cracking in certain upper deck floor beams, which could extend and sever floor beams at a floor panel attachment hole location and could result in rapid decompression and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2001-NM-278-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationThe Italian airplanes will have armored cockpits
Rome, Italy - The idea of the "air marshalls" has been voted down
"It's a measure of passive defence to which it attaches the defense on the ground of the airplanes in approximately one hundred Italian airports". With these words Enzo Bianco, Copaco President, has explained... more

Sport aviationWorld parachuting record has been set in Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand - 357 persons have launched from four C-130
A world record has been set in Thailand regarding the greatest parachuting group launch ever made. As much as 357 parachutists from some 40 countries have jumped from four C-130 Hercules. Previous record... more

CuriositiesThe Pacific hot-air balloon long-distance flight attempted by a Japanese person has failed
Tokyo, Japan - His balloon has landed on water at more than 1000 km distance from Japanese northern coast.
The oceanic long-distance flight attempt by a 54 years old Japanese (Michio Kanda) has failed (an attempt which has been already described on AVIONEWS ). His hot-air balloon, called "Milky Way 2", has... more

Press releaseVolareweb.com: flights cancellation because of a strike in France
Milan, Italy - It previewed for today from 6.30am to 11.30pm
"The French air traffic controllers are in strike from 6,30am to 11,30pm of today, February 11, 2004, and Volareweb.com will cancel all the flights from and to Paris. Only the connections VA-8901 Milan-Malpensa/Paris-Orly... more

PeopleEverything is in order for Gee Bee Air
Palermo, Italy - ENAC inspectors have not found irregularities for the Greek airline' s activities in Sicily
The Greek carrier Gee Bee Air is still being examinated by ENAC inspectors after its competitive tender victory for social routes among Palermo's, Catania's, Lampedusa's and Pantelleria's airports. Last... more

Press releaseBasiq Air: European Commission decree
Milan, Italy - The fares will not change according to the President and Ceo of the carrier
"The recent ordinance issued from the European Commission for the Charleroi airport anticipates a support to the activities of the low-cost airlines. The European Commission allows to the airports to offer... more

IndustryParker Aerospace awarded of a near 16 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the Apache, Blackhawk, Chinook and Kiowa helicopters
Parker Aerospace, Irvine, Calif., was awarded on Feb. 9, 2004, a delivery order amount of $15,975,746 as part of a $116,703,077 firm-fixed-price contract for support of the Apache (AH-64), Blackhawk (UH-60),... more

IndustrySikorsky Aircraft Co. awarded of a 40 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the UH-60A to UH-60M
Sikorsky Aircraft Co., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Feb. 6, 2004, a $40,000,000 modification to a cost-plus-award-fee contract for the UH-60A to UH-60M integration and qualification effort. Work will... more

Latest newsA Pantera pod for Royal Norwegian Air Force's F-16
Orlando, USA - Norway is the first European country to purchase it
Tests for the new Lockheed Martin "Pantera" pod have successfully ended for Norwegian F-16. Norway is the first European customer of this last generation targeting, navigation and attack system though... more

PeopleAVIONEWS at the release of the "Airport Certification" for Fiumicino and Malpensa's management companies: Presidents of ENAC, AdR, SEA and Assaeroporti have attended
Rome, Italy - The release of conformity certification for the new ICAO safety standard has happened at ENAC's central office
The release ceremony of "Airport Certification" has happened at ENAC's central office for Roma- Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" e Milano-Malpensa's airport management companies. AdR and SEA can respectively... more

AccidentsAir crash in United Arab Emirates (7): the technical sheet
Rome, Italy - It's a Fokker 50
The Fokker 50, based on the successful project of F-27, is an upgraded version equipped with PW-127 engines giving better performance from short runways and in high temperatures. Here below the technical... more

SecurityAir crash in the United Arab Emirates (6): found the flight recorders
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates - The correspondent of the Arabic TV Al Arabia said it
The black boxes of the Kish Airways aircraft crashed this morning in the landing phase, have been recovered from the authorities of the United Arab Emirates. Specialists of the field are analyzing to comprise... more

SecurityAir crash in the United Arab Emirates (5): it is a turboprop Fokker 50 aircraft
Tehran, Iran - The number of the victims is 43
It's of 43 people the number of the victims of a Fokker 50 crash - of the maximum capacity to fifty seats - of the Kish Airways, crashed this morning in the landing phase near the international Sharjah... more

AirlinesSwiss International Airlines: load factor decreases
Basel, Switzerland - Data regarding the month of January
According to an official note diffused from the airline, Swiss International Airlines in January has recorded 679,699 passengers; the load factor is fixed to 70,2%, in decrease regarding December, where... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R (Collectively Called A300-600) series airplanes; and model A-310 series airplanes (2004-03-10)
Usa - To ensure that the flight crew is advised of the potential hazard associated with an in-flight deployment of the thrust reverser, and the procedures necessary to address it
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2001-NM-303-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 777-200 series airplanes (2004-03-05)
Usa - To detect and correct cracks or damage to the web of the aft pressure bulkhead, which could enlarge if undetected, leading to rapid decompression of the airplane and consequent possible loss of flight critical systems
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2002-NM-320-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 737-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with a main deck cargo door installed in accordance with supplemental type certificate (STC) SA2969SO (2004-03-23)
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct cracking of the lower portion of the main deck cargo door frames, which could result in sudden depressurization, loss or opening of the main deck cargo door during flight, and loss of control of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2003-NM-170-AD, Amendment... more

HelicoptersHuey "interviews" its old crews
Washington, USA - Round the United States to relate the Vietnam War by its veterans' words
It is remembered as the troop carrier helicopter par excellence during the Vietnam War but now it is at work to gain financing in order to preserve the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial in Angel Fire,... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-320-111, -211, -212, and -231 series airplanes (2004-03-07)
Usa - To detect and correct fatigue cracking around the fasteners connecting the pressure panel to the flexible bracket at frame 36, adjacent to the longitudinal beams on the left and right sides of the airplane, which could result in reduced structural
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2001-NM-107-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-319 and A-320 series airplanes (2004-03-06)
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct fatigue cracks on the wing/fuselage joint cruciform fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing/fuselage
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2002-NM-183-AD; Amendment... more

SecurityAir crash in the United Arab Emirates (4): information about the Kish Airways
Tehran, Iran - The carrier connects the Iran towards UAE
The Iranian air company, Kish Airways, has been born some years ago. It connects the Iranian Kish island, that it is found in the Persian Gulf, with the United Arab Emirates. The Kish island is the place... more

Latest newsNew TARDIS system on RAF's Tornado IDS
Rochester, UK - All the British aircraft to be updated to this new standard
Royal Air Force's Tornado IDS Gr. Mk 4 will receive a new display for their radar/map. This British Aerospace's supplying will involve the whole fleet of British interdiction aircraft. This new system,... more

Government actsAgreement on safety of third country aircraft using Community airports
Rome, Italy - Parliament-Council Conciliation Committee
Last week the Council and the European Parliament succeeded in reaching agreement in the Conciliation Committee regarding the proposal for a Directive on the safety of third country aircraft using Community... more

SecurityAir crash in the United Arab Emirates (3)
Sharjah, UAE - The victims would be of several nationalities
The local authorities of the civil aviation begin to clear some elements of the tragedy of this morning in the United Arab Emirates. The victims would be at least 35. Perhaps there would be two survivors,... more

AirlinesContinental Airlines announces major expansion of service to Mexico
Houston, Usa - The airline to begin daily non-stop flights to four new Mexican destinations
Continental Airlines yesterday announced a major expansion of its Mexico service, adding four new Mexican destinations to the 23 it currently serves from Houston, pending government approval. Continental... more

Latest newsC-130 and 737 share their avionics
Washington, USA - Avionics update for U.S. C-130
Avionics of some Reserve and U.S. National Guard's C-130 Hercules is going to be updated by Boeing during the next 10 years. The adoption of digital displays and other components which stem from 737's... more

Government actsParliamentary question: "Concessionary agreement concerning Athens’ new airport, Eleftherios Venizelos" (2)
Rome, Italy - The answer of the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Michel Barnier
Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (31 July 2003). "Council Regulation (EC) N. 1164/94 of 16 May 1994 establishing a Cohesion Fund does not assign any competence to the Commission... more

SecurityAir crash in the UAE (2)
Sharjah, UAE - Among the survivors there would be a child and a man
There would be two survivors to the tragedy of this morning in the UAE. They would be a man and a child who are survived to the incident of the Kish Airways aircraft crashed in a of the states of the UAE,... more