AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
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MiscellaneousAVIONEWS wishes everyone a merry Christmas
Rome, Italy - The agency will reopen on Thursday 27 December
AVIONEWS communicates to its subscribers, readers and Facebook fans that on Monday 24 December it will not be operational because of the Christmas holidays. After the break, the agency will reopen on Thursday... more
HelicoptersNH-90 helicopter: Eurocopter celebrates two firsts with Belgium and France
Marignane, France - 133 models have been delivered to 14 countries and more than 31,000 flight hours
Eurocopter on December 21 achieved a new milestone in its NH-90 program with two ceremonies held at its Marignane facility near Marseille in the south of France, during which the manufacturer delivered... more
HelicoptersBell signs agreement with Air Methods for 20 Bell 407GX helicopters
Fort Worth, Usa - For air medical transport for critically ill and injured patients in the USA
Bell Helicopter announced on December 21 an agreement with Air Methods for the supply of 20 Bell 407GX aircraft. Air Methods will dedicate the helicopters to air medical transport for critically ill and... more
AerospaceExpedition 34 spacecraft successfully docked to the International Space Station
Houston, USA - The hatches between the Soyuz and the Rassvet module are set to be opened at 11:45 am est
Expedition 34 Flight Engineers Tom Marshburn, Roman Romanenko and Chris Hadfield docked their Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft to the International Space Station’s Rassvet module at 9:09 am EST on Friday 21 D... more
IndustryLockheed Martin delivers 30 F-35 airplanes in 2012
Fort Worth, Usa - 11 CTOLs, 18 STOVL variants, and one Carrier Variant (CV)
Lockheed Martin delivered 30 F-35 airplanes in 2012. The 30 aircraft comprised 11 CTOLs, 18 Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) variants, and one Carrier Variant (CV). Two of the STOVLS were the... more
IndustryBoeing test breakthrough means more reliable connectivity on airplanes
Seattle, Usa - Its engineers created a new process for measuring radio signal quality
Boeing has developed an advanced method to test wireless signals in airplane cabins, making it possible for passengers to enjoy more reliable connectivity when using networked personal electronic devices... more
IndustryAirbus: AirAsia becomes first operator of Sharklet equipped A-320 airplane (VIDEO)
Toulouse, France - These newly designed wing-tip devices reduce fuel burn and emissions
Airbus has delivered the first A-320 airplane equipped with Sharklets on December 21 to AirAsia, which becomes the first operator of the new fuel-saving large wing tip devices. Sharklets are an option... more
Press releaseFinmeccanica about Eurofighter aircraft order from Oman
Rome, Italy - It is the seventh country at global level for the European airplane
Finmeccanica, partner in the Eurofighter programme through Alenia Aermacchi, welcomes with great satisfaction the new order of 12 Eurofighter signed by Oman which thus becomes the seventh customer, at... more
Press releaseGemina BoD: examined the state of the approval procedure for the Economic Regulation Agreement of Aeroporti di Roma
Rome, Italy - The Board gave its positive opinion on the proposal contained in the letter sent by AdR to the Government
The Board of Directors of Gemina, having held a special meeting on December 20, has examined the current state of the approval procedure for the Economic Regulation Agreement of its subsidiary Aeroporti... more
IndustryEurofighter: Oman is the seventh customer to operate the aircraft
Hallbergmoos, Germany - More than 340 aircraft have been delivered to six nations
The Eurofighter community welcomes Oman as a new member to join the international defence programme. Oman will become the seventh customer to operate the world’s most advanced new generation swing-role/multi-role c... more
HelicoptersBell 429 helicopter to operate in Venezuela, after INAC validation
Fort Worth, Usa - This approval makes the Venezuela the thirteen country
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company announced on December 20 that Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC) has validated the Bell 429 to operate in Venezuela. Additionally INAC has endorsed... more
HelicoptersEC-145 helicopter Mercedes-Benz style will soon fly over Germany with Meravo
Donauwörth, Germany - The aircraft will join to the operator's fleet of 25 helicopters
Eurocopter’s EC-145 Mercedes-Benz Style helicopter will soon fly over Germany: Meravo, one of the country’s most experienced commercial helicopter operators, ordered one of the elegant high-end aircraft in... more
IndustrySSJ-100 airplane: agreement with Sky Aviation for after-sales support of models in fleet
Venice, Italy - Worth up to USD 57 million for a term of 10 years
SuperJet International –a joint-venture between Alenia Aermacchi (a Finmeccanica Company) and Sukhoi Holding– announced on December 21 the execution of a “SuperCare” Agreement with the launch customer for Sou... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. American Airlines and US Airways close to a merger?
New York, USA - The union would create the world's largest airline
According to a report published by "Bloomberg", American Airlines and US Airways would be close to put into effect their merger, which is an operation able to catalyse a lot of attention during the past... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Fastjet chairman sets his pay at 1 pound per year
London, United Kingdom - Lenigas: "I intend to establish a foundation to enable underprivileged children in Africa to experience the joys of flight"
Usually the top executives of an airline have wages in the range of the millions of dollars, with large bonuses based on the objectives achieved, which are often sources of criticism, particularly when... more
CuriositiesBAE Systems closes Filton Airport, the home of the British Concorde aircraft
Filton, United Kingdom - The English firm will contribute to the creation of a museum on the site
The place where the ten English Concordes and other historic aircraft like the Bristol Barazon or the Bristol Type 175 Britannia were assembled and flew for the first time: these are some of the reasons... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. TAP privatization postponed by Portugal government
Lisbon, Portugal - The only bid has been considered inadequate
The Portuguese government decided to postpone the privatization of TAP, the main national airline, which is part of a wider 78-billion-Euro privatization plan, since the only bid received, which was presented... more
Finance and economyFinmeccanica about GE-Avio transaction: it is subject to regulatory and governmental approvals
Rome, Italy - About EUR 260 million
Finmeccanica announces that the company Avio SpA, 100% controlled by BCV Investments SCA (“BCV”), which is 14.3% owned by Finmeccanica, has sold to GE the activities related to its aircraft engine div... more
IndustryBAE Systems announces order for 12 Eurofighter aircraft from Oman
London, United Kingdom - The agreement, which includes 8 Hawk trainer jets, has a value of 3.1 billion Euro
Confirming the rumours which leaked in the past days, BAE Systems announced on Friday 21 December 2012 it reached an agreement with Oman for the supply of twelve Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and of eight... more
AccidentsEngine on fire: emergency landing for an airberlin aircraft in Phuket
Phuket, Thailand - No problem reported for the 249 persons on board
An airberlin aircraft was forced to perform an emergency landing in the evening of Thursday 20 December 2012 because of an engine failure shortly after its departure from Phuket International Airport (Thailand). The... more
IndustryAirbus: first of four A-330/200F aircraft delivered to Tampa Cargo
Toulouse, France - The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engines
Tampa Cargo, AviancaTaca Holding’s cargo airline based in Colombia, has taken delivery of the first of four new A-330 Freighter (A-330/200F) aircraft at Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France. The aircraft i... more
HelicoptersEurocopter: Finnish Border Guard expands its fleet with two additional AS-332L1 helicopters
Helsinki, Finland - Deliveries scheduled for 2015
The Finnish Border Guard is to expand its Eurocopter fleet with the acquisition of two additional AS-332 L1 Super Puma helicopters fully equipped for maritime search and rescue missions in the country’s c... more
Industry"Fly Your Ideas" by Airbus: more than 6,000 students of over 100 nationalities registered to the edition 2013 of the initiative
Toulouse, France - Airbus assessors are currently reviewing entries to select the most innovative ideas
More than 6,000 students of over 100 nationalities registered for "Fly Your Ideas 2013", the global university contest organized by the aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Teams of students are challenged to... more
IndustryBoeing: four B-767F airplanes to FedEx Express
Seattle, Usa - The order is part of FedEx's initiative to modernize its fleet
Boeing and FedEx Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of FedEx Corp., announced on December 19 an order for four 767 Freighters. The order is part of FedEx's initiative to modernize its fleet. The addition... more
IndustryBoeing: first P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft delivered
Seattle, Usa - India will receive this airplane and two more of its eight contracted models in 2013
Boeing on Dec. 19 made an on-site delivery of the first P-8I aircraft to the Indian Navy in Seattle, in accordance with the contract. India will receive this aircraft and two more of its eight contracted... more
IndustryBombardier inks two purchase agreements for 22 CSeries aircraft (VIDEO)
Montreal, Canada - The two customers are airBaltic and an undisclosed airline based in the Americas
On Thursday 20 December 2012 Bombardier Aerospace announced it signed two contracts for the purchase of 22 CSeries aircraft by airBaltic and an undisclosed customer based in the Americas: the overall value... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Toto's Livingston launches "Slow cost" offer (VIDEO)
Milan, Italy - The Lombard company manages to put together quality of services, safety and competitive prices
With the debut of the route from Milan to Mauritius operated with an Airbus A-330 aircraft, Riccardo Toto's Livingston entered the market of luxury intercontinental tourist destinations, such as Kenya,... more
IndustrySAAB: option in the contract signed in 2011
Linkoping, Sweden - The total order value for this option comes to about 152 MSEK
Sweden’s Defence Procurement Agency (FMV) has taken up an option in the earlier contract ‘Systems Support for Air Traffic and Airbase Systems 2011-2012’ which Saab signed on 5 September 2011. The total... more
HelicoptersAgustaWestland helicopters: contracts signed with the UK MoD and with Azerbaijan Airlines
Rome, Italy - With a total value of about EUR 435 million
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, has signed contracts with a total value of about EUR 435 million in the UK and Azerbaijan. In particular, AgustaWestland has signed a three year contract (from... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport passes the 50-million-passenger-per-year milestone
Amsterdam, Netherlands - "This illustrates the tremendous economic relevance of aviation to our country"
On Thursday 20 December 2012, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol welcomed the 50 millionth passenger of 2012. This is the first time in the airport's history that more than 50 million passengers travelled via... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. Rekindling of desire for Kingfisher?
Mumbai, India - The Middle-Eastern carrier wavering between Jet Airways and the troubled airline
For a weeks Etihad Airways has been carrying on talks to acquire a stake in an Indian carrier. After an initial interest in Jet Airways (AVIONEWS), the Emirati company focused on Kingfisher Airlines (AVIONEWS),... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. London-Stansted Airport should not be de-regulated, CAA claims
London, United Kingdom - According to the authority, the benefits to consumers of continuing economic regulation are likely to outweigh the possible adverse impacts
On Thursday 20 December 2012 the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published for consultation its latest thinking on whether London-Stansted Airport should be fully de-regulated from 2014. The consultation... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. Partnership Qantas-Emirates gets ACCC conditional approval
Canberra, Australia - The two carriers will have to increase connections between Australia and New Zealand
On Thursday 20 December 2012 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a draft decision proposing to grant authorisation, subject to a condition, for five years for an alliance between... more
UAS-DronesX-47B UAV successfully concludes its aircraft carrier trials (VIDEO)
Norfolk, USA - Trials performed with the ship in port and off the coast of Virginia.
Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed a series of deck handling trials of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier... more
IndustryBAE Systems: delays in talks with Saudi Arabia over Eurofighter aircraft could hit profits
London, United Kingdom - "Issues remain to be resolved before contract pricing can be agreed"
On Thursday 20 December 2012 BAE Systems communicated with a statement to the London Stock Exchange that some delays in the talks with Saudi Arabia regarding some aspects over pricing of the Eurofighter... more
SecurityAircraft accidents: EC proposes new rules through better use of data on occurrences
Brussels, Belgium - The new rules would promote more efficient exchange of information between Member States
The European Commission proposed on December 19 new rules for the better protection of air passengers, aiming to achieve a decreased number of aircraft accidents and fatalities through better use of data... more
PeopleAirbus Corporate Foundation: Fabrice Brégier, new Chairman of the Board
Toulouse, France - He replaces Tom Enders, CEO of EADS
During its last Board of Directors meeting on 17th December, the Airbus Corporate Foundation appointed Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO, as its new Chairman of the Board, succeeding Tom Enders,... more
AirlinesAllegiant Air wants to purchase former Iberia-owned A-320 aircraft
Las vegas, USA - "Finding up to nine aircraft of this pedigree available for purchase is unusual"
Allegiant Travel Co. parent company of the American airline Allegiant Air, announced its intention to purchase up to nine Airbus A-320 aircraft with a 177-seat all-economy configuration which were previously... more
AirlinesGermany: Ryanair accused of "Underweight" aircraft
Berlin, Germany - The carrier is suspected of communicating fake MTOW figures to save money
Deutsche Flugsicherung, the German company which is responsible for air traffic control in Germany, announced it is investigating Ryanair for an alleged falsification of the figures relative to the Maximum... more
AirlinesAircraft and airlines. SAS: now there are all the conditions for the credit facility
Stockholm, Sweden - Approval from the Denmark, Sweden and Norway parliaments
On 19 November SAS announced that the Board had decided that the conditions for the implementation of "4Excellence NG" exist as the condition to have all eight union agreements signed had been reached.... more
AirportsAircraft and transport. Berlin-Brandenburg Airport: EC approves capital injection
Brussels, Belgium - Public intervention in line with EU rules
The European Commission has concluded that a 1.2 billion Euro capital injection planned by the public owners of the new Berlin Brandenburg (BER) airport in order to finalise its construction is in line... more
AirlinesCologne: first "Whiskey Tango" aircraft with new Germanwings landed
Cologne, germany - The new fleet will be made by 90 airplanes
The first Airbus A-319 aircraft with the design of the "New Germanwings" landed punctually on December 19, 2012 at Cologne/Bonn Airport. The main element of the new livery is a stylized "W" in mulberry... more
Press releaseAirberlin-Etihad strategies to improve 2012 financial results
Berlin, Germany - The German airline has established the topbonus frequent flyer program as a separate spin-off company; the partnership increases between two parts
airberlin has established on December 18 the topbonus frequent flyer program as a separate spin-off company. Etihad Airways has acquired a majority stake of 70% in the new topbonus Limited (Ltd.),... more
AirlinesAirplanes and alliance. Etihad Airways-airberlin: more than 300,000 passengers transported and over 239 destinations worldwide
Abu Dhabi, Uae - The report in its first 12 months
The year-old alliance between airberlin and Etihad Airways has allowed the carriers to deliver more than 300,000 passengers onto each other’s networks and collectively generate more than €100 million in... more
IndustryF-35 airplane: AETC declares Eglin ready for training
Eglin, Usa - Training is slated to begin Jan. 7
Following an independent evaluation of Eglin's capability to conduct F-35A Lightning II aircraft pilot training, Air Education and Training Command announced on December 17 the 33rd Fighter Wing can do... more
Military aviationRussia inks agreement for a further thirty Su-30SM aircraft
Moscow, Russia - The new multirole fighters will be delivered by 2016
On Wednesday 19 December 2012 the Ministry for Defence of the Russian federation and Irkut inked a contract for procurement of a further thirty Su-30SM aircraft: the Russian Air Force will take deliver... more
Finance and economyAircraft and finance. Irish government opposes to Ryanair's Aer Lingus takeover
Dublin, Ireland - "We don't see any advantages for Ireland", the Transport Minister claims
The Irish government has openly refused to support the Aer Lingus takeover carried out by Ryanair, announcing that it will not sell the 25% stake it currently owns in the legacy airline to the low-cost... more
AirportsAircraft and finance. F2i acquires a 28% stake in Sagat, the management firm of Turin Airport
Turin, Italy - The 35-million-Euro offer was judged congruous
Vito Gamberale's investment fund F2i is the winner of the auction to acquire the 28% stake of Sagat, the management firm of Turin "Sandro Pertini" Airport, which was previously owned by the municipality... more
CargoAircraft and finance. Luxembourg government re-purchases Qatar Airways' stake in Cargolux
Luxembourg, Luxembourg - 35% of the stakes bought back at 117.5 million dollars
On Wednesday 19 December 2012 the government of Luxembourg communicated it re-acquired the stake of the company Cargolux from Qatar Airways, at the same price which was paid by the Middle-Eastern airline... more
Press releaseEC about State aid (unlawful) to SEA Handling for EUR 360 million
Brussels, Belgium - And incompatible with rules about it
The European Commission has concluded that around €360 million of state aid granted between 2002 and 2010 by SEA, the state-owned operator of the Milan-Malpensa and Milan-Linate airports, to its subsidiary S... more