DefenseChange of the guard at Aviano Usaf base

Pordenone, Italy - Next October 9

As of next October 9 brigadier general Michael Warden will officially replace brigadier general Donald J. Hoffman as commander of the 31st "Storm Wing" at Aviano (Italy) Us Air Force Base. At the ceremony... more

CuriositiesThe perfect airplane of paper

London, UK - The Institute of Physics experiences superfast airplane

In a recent publication on the website - www.josephpalmer.com/planes/Airplane.shtml - the British Institute of Physics has inserted "the key rules" for the construction of the perfect "paper-plane". With... more

DefenseA Nato enlargement "will not but be useful to Europe"

Rome, Italy - According to Italian undersecretary of Defence

In occasion of his meeting with the Greek vice minister of Defence Lazoros Lotidis, the Italian undersecretary of Defence Filippo Berselli clearly expressed his point of view in relation to the enlargement... more

Latest newsOn the Mi-26 helicopter crashed in Chechnya

Moscow, Russia - Russian officer indicted for negligence

On last August 19, 119 military died in consequence of the shooting down of the heavy-lift helicopter they were aboard by the Chechen Muslim guerrilla. The lieutenant-colonel Kudiakov, the man in charge... more

Press release"Self check-in" for Air New Zealand

Rome, Italy - High technology for Express Card on domestic flights

"Next November 1, the air carrier New Zealand, in the occasion of the introduction of Express Class, the new business class on domestic flights in New Zealand, will launch two new products of high technology:... more

AirlinesAir France: maybe a new strike on October 3

Paris, France - To protest against privatization

Tensions at Air France seem not to be finished yet as in fact airline's unions have called for action on October 3. If the protest should eventually take place, for the second time in a few weeks the airline's... more

AirlinesAir Canada-El Al:signed a code-share agreement

Toronto, Canada - To operate 7 weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Toronto

The Israeli airline El Al and the North American Air Canada announced to have signed a code-share agreement thanks to which they will jointly start a seven-time per week service between Tel Aviv and Toronto.... more

AerospaceISS? Maybe a waste of money

Washington, Usa - According to National Academy of Sciences

According to a recent evaluation by the Us National Academy of Sciences, the huge amounts of money United States are spending in the International Space Station (ISS)project, should be not profitable in... more

Civil aviationPittsburgh airport: no scissors at the Dinosaurs exhibition inauguration ceremony

Washington, Usa - The ribbon has been snatched and not cut

Because of the severe anti-terror measures, the Dinosaurs exhibition at the Pittsburgh international airport was not christened as usual with a scissors cut of the ribbon but with an unusual "snatch".... more

AirlinesAmerican Airlines to strenghten on its trans Atlantic routes

Washington, Usa - By the addition of a second Miami-London daily flight

The Forth Worth-based air carrier American Airlines is going to strenghten it trans-Atlantic links by launching a second daily service between Miami and London. Starting from October 27, the new service... more

AirlinesSkyTeam boosts Alitalia's operations

Atlanta, Usa - Mainly thanks to Delta and Air France

Alitalia, the Italian flagship air carrier, seems to positively take advantage of its participation to the international air grouping SkyTeam. As stated by Giorgio Callegari, Alitalia's alliances division... more

Weather forecastsSeptember 2002: exhibitions and air shows

INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION METEROLOGY DIVISIONAL MEETING… September 9-27, Montreal, Canada. Info: (514) 954-8219; Web site: www.icao.int. CONFERENCE ON QUALITY IN COMMERCIAL AVIATION…Sept. 22-... more

IndustryBell Helicopter awarded of a 5 USDm contract

USA

Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, Texas, is receiving a $5,000,000 firm-fixed-priced contract for 25 wing assemblies used to support the H-1 helicopter. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and is... more

IndustryRaytheon awarded of a 21 USDm contract

USA

Raytheon Systems Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded a $21,000,000 firm-fixed-price-order contract to manufacture 35 receiver converters for the AN/AAS-38 FLIR on the F/A 18 aircraft. Work will be... more

IndustryBoeing Winnipeg named to the Sonic Cruiser technology development team

Winnipeg, Canada - The ultimate generation passenger jet

Boeing Canada Technology-Winnipeg, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, is joining the Boeing Sonic Cruiser technology development team. The team is working to develop the advanced materials solutions that... more

IndustryBoeing Space awarded of a near 17 USDm contract

USA

Boeing Space and Communications Group, Seattle is being awarded a $16,785,936 cost-plus award-fee contract modification to provide for a six-month extension (Option 1) of existing internal upper stage... more

AirlinesAlitalia's CEO warns about the impact of a war in Iraq

Rome, Italy - A war could make the industrial plan insufficient

As reported on the columns of the Italian financial daily "Il Sole 24 Ore", Francesco Mengozzi, Alitalia's CEO, is worried about the impact a potential conflict in Iraq could have over his carrier. Concerns... more

IndustryBoeing awarded of a over 273 USDm contract

USA

The Boeing Co., Anaheim, Calif., is being awarded a $273,200,000 cost-plus award-fee contract to provide for a Family of Advanced Beyond-Line-of-Sight Terminal (FAB-T) program that will use an evolutionary... more

Civil aviationFAA: 157 violations of air space over Us presidential residences

Washington, Usa - Since terror attacks in New York and Washington

According to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), since the tragic attacks of New York and Washington, 157 air space violations have been registered over Us presidential residences. Over... more

HelicoptersSikorsky reveals European heavy-lift vision

Bristol, UK - Company's development director said

The Us helicopter maker Sikorsky has revealed the company’s vision of a new heavy lift helicopter for the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force. Advanced development director Chris Van Buiten explains h... more

AerospaceNasa-Cira signed agreement on the Icing Wind Tunnel

Caserta, Italy - The larger ever made

The Us National Aeronautics and Space Agency best known as Nasa and the Italian Center for aerospace research (Cira) signed an agreement for the realization of an Icing Wind Tunnel, the machine able to... more

IndustryBeijing says yes to plans to build a 72 to 79 seat passenger jet

Beijing, China - To take off in 2006

People's Republic government okayed the project to build up a 100% Chinese passenger aircraft. The plane, which is supposed to start flying in 2006 could fly up to 79 passengers. The project development,... more

Science and technologyHeathrow: Friends of the Earth protest against third runway

Londo, Uk - 10.000 homes at risk

Today Environment pressure group Friends of the Earth protested against the building up of the third runway at London-Heathrow airport. If government would give the blueprint its approval, according to... more

AirlinesAir France to increase its capacity in winter 2002/2003

Paris, France - By a 7,5%

Air France, the French airline which is supposed to be privatized as of next October, announced it is going to raise its winter 2002/2003 capacity by a 7,5%. France's flag air route also said its long-haul... more

IndustryPrime Minister Raffarin in Poitiers for Dassault's facility 30th anniversary

Paris, France - The facility started in 1972

France Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin visited Poitiers Dassault facility on the occasion of the plant’s 30th anniversary on September 20th 2002. He was welcome by Serge Dassault, Chairman of the D... more

AirlinesVirgin Express to quit its expansion plan in Germany

Brussels, Belgium - Because of TUI's and Lufthansa's new low-cost airlines

Virgin Express, the Brussels-based airline owned by the British multimillionaire Sir Richard Branson, will not pursue anymore its expansion plan in Germany. As in fact both TUI - world's largest tour operator... more

AirlinesAerolineas Argentinas to break even in 2002

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Good performance in July and August

Argentina's flagship airline, Aerolineas Argentinas, seems eventually able to take the right way to get out from the crisis. According to Antonio Manta, CEO at Aerolineas Argentinas, the airline in fact... more

AirlinesAlitalia's passengers to surf the Net as from early 2003

Rome, Italy - Thanks to four geostationary satellites

Thanks to 4 geostationary satellites, as of 2003 passengers flying on board Alitalia aircraft will be able to surf the Internet and to send and receive e-mails. At first the new service born in co-operation... more

PeopleDoT okayed Us Airways-United code-share agreement extension

Washington, Usa - For 30 days

Us Department of Transportation decided to okay the extension for 30 days of the code-share agreement between the American air carriers United Airlines and US Airways. US Airways and United announced their... more

Civil aviationCia and Fbi to search for a Sudanese pilot

Washington, Usa - Washington Times reports

According to the Us daily newspaper Washington Times, Cia and Fbi are looking for a missing Sudanese air force pilot who is said to be planning to hijack an airliner and fly it into the White House. The... more

Finance and economyAmerican Airlines shares fell at levels of 1983

Washington, Usa - Since the beginning of September American's stock has lost half of its value

Bad news for American Airlines (AA) whose stock price in fact fell at levels as low as those in 1983. More than 10 million shares changed hands on Thursday, compared with average trading volume of about... more

AirlinesLufthansa to purchase ten new Airbus aircraft

Frankfurt, Germany - 10 A330-300s for its long haul fleet

Germany's flagship air carrier Lufthansa has announced it is set to purchase ten new A330-300, the aircraft made by the European giant Airbus, to improve its long-haul fleet. Such a move has been opted... more

IndustryWill Dassault take over Thales?

Paris, France - By the acquisition of the 15,8% stake in the hands of Alcatel

According to rumours, the French aeronautical industry Dassault Aviation is likely to improve its presence in Thales' capital via the acquisition of the 15,8% stake at the moment in the hands of Alcatel.... more

IndustryBAE Systems awarded of a over 9 USDm contract

USA

BAE Systems, Austin, Texas, is being awarded a $9,062,119.50 firm-fixed-price contract to provide for flare, MJU-23 A/B, 14,511 each, in the support of the B-1B aircraft. The location of performance is... more

IndustryGeneral Electric awarded of a over 5 USDm contract

USA

General Electric Aircraft Engines, Lynn, Mass., is being awarded a $5,096,960 priced-order under the existing Basic Ordering Agreement. The contract is for the procurement of 14,480 each high-pressure... more

IndustryRockwell Collins awarded of a over 5 USDm contract

USA

Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $5,115,917 modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-02-C-3004) to exercise an option for the... more

AccidentsMaoist rebels assaulted a helicopter in Nepal

Katmandu, Nepal - They set the aircraft on fire after having abducted pilot and a passenger

Some Nepalese rebels belonging to Maoist movement have attacked yesterday an Ecureuil helicopter landed in a village on the remote mountains of Nepal. After rebels abducted the pilot and one passenger... more

HelicoptersBell/Agusta to sell helicopters to the Republic of Namibia

Forth Worth, Usa - Two AB139s

The Us-Italian helicopters maker Bell/Agusta Aerospace Co. has announced to have signed a contract for two AB139 helicopters with the Republic of Namibia. The first will be configured as a VIP aircraft... more

IndustryPiaggio Aero to supply Euroskylink

Genoa, Italy - With 3 P180 Avanti

The Italian aerospace company Piaggio Aero Industries and Sloane Aviation have announced yesterday the signature of a contract with Euroskylink, a UK based company for the sale of three Piaggio P180 Avanti... more

Civil aviationFBI warns about new potential terror attacks

Washington, Usa - And alerted 18.000 state and local law enforcement agencies around the United States

According to the FBI, aircraft could be used again as terrorist weapons against Us targets and warns of new methods hijackers could use to sneak explosives aboard jetliners. The FBI in fact sent an advisory... more

AirlinesFrench government to unveil Air France's privatization plan next autumn

Paris, France - Premier's office said

There's no room to doubt anymore about the privatization of the French main airline Air France. "The government has the intention to present a plan this autumn," said Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin's... more

AirlinesDelta Connection to add new, larger jets at Newport News

Newport, Usa - New 70-seat Jet increases capacity to Delta's Atlanta hub

Delta Connection will offer customers expanded service at Newport News, Va., beginning Nov. 1, 2002, featuring the new 70-passenger Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft. The new schedule includes two round-trip... more

Fair and showsBoeing selects Pennsylvania and names Krone to lead Army Systems

Washington, Usa - The USD 2bn worth unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems

The Boeing Company on last September 16 named Roger Krone, to lead Army Systems, a new unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. This new global unit will have its headquarters in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.... more

Press releaseQantas and American Airlines adds Denver to codeshare

Sydney, Australia - Total number of the American cities is 16

"Qantas has expanded its codeshare agreement with American Airlines by adding Denver, Colorado, bringing the total number of North American cities serviced to 16. Qantas Executive General Manager John... more

IndustryBoeing C-17 facility named one of 10 best plants in North America

St Louis, Usa - "We are honored"

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifter production complex in Long Beach, Calif., has been named one of the top manufacturing plants in North America by the editors of IndustryWeek magazine, who today... more

IndustryBelgian authorities search Airbus facilities in Tolouse

Tolouse, France - In relation to Sabena bankruptcy

Almost a year has passed since Sabena filed for bankruptcy last November 2001 and the inquiry still goes on. Two days ago in fact, according to a Brussels court spokesman, "judge Claude Van Espen is in... more

DefenseTwo Pakistani arrested as their truck heading to a Us base was found carrying dynamite

Kabul, Afghanistan - Local police set up an investigation

Two citizens from Pakistan have stopped by police as dynamite has been found in the fuel tanks of the truck they were aboard. "The tanker came from Pakistan and the drivers are being held while the situation... more

AerospaceNasa: Atlantis takes off on next October 2

Cape Canaveral, Usa - "If weather is good"

According to National Aeronautics and Space Agency (Nasa) officials, Atlantis shuttle will take off to space on next October 2. "If weather is good, Atlantis is ready to come back to service as scheduled... more

IndustryUnited Technologies awarded of a near 15 USDm contract

USA

United Technologies Corp., East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $14,865,557 firm-fixed-price contract to provide for Chemical Mill Combustion Duct, 284 each, applicable to F100-PW-220 engine, F-15... more