AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
102,219 news found

ReportSudan denies air strikes and calls for UN intervention
Karthoum, Sudan - "South Sudan troops would only withdraw from Heglig site if an international force was deployed to the area".
The UN Security Council has called for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire on Sudan's southern border between Sudan forces and the South-Sudan troops which occupied the Heglig oilfield on Tuesday,... more

IndustryAircraft. Boeing delivered 300th Sky Interior
Seattle, Usa - Garuda Indonesia to operate Next-Generation 737/800
Boeing's popular passenger-inspired 737 Sky Interior airplane marked its 300th milestone with yesterday's delivery to Indonesian customer, Garuda Indonesia. Since the first 737 Sky Interior was delivered... more

Civil aviationAircraft & carriers: Belarus says "No" to Moscow, Belavia is a national airline
Minsk, Belarus - The carrier is negotiating with Embraer
Rumors about a proposal Moscow has sent to Belarus about the integration of Belavia airline, Belarus flag carrier, was dismissed yesterday by Belarusian minister of transport Ivan Shcherbo, who said "There... more

AerospaceNorth-Korean space mission fails after one minute
Pyongyang, North Korea - Embarrassment for Pyongyang; Seoul exults
All concerns related to the North-Korean space mission (AVIONEWS) disappeared yesterday evening since today April 13 Pyongyang admitted the Uhna-3 rocket which should have put a satellite into orbit failed... more

AirlinesAlitalia will integrate Wind Jet: operation approved
Rome, Italy - Ragnetti prefers to avoid Blue Panorama
Alitalia-Cai has sealed a negotiation with Wind Jet, Antonino Pulvirenti's private airline born in 2003, which involves a two-step integration. First, Pulvirenti "Should hive off the company that is carrying... more

CargoLufthansa Cargo achieves high load factor in first quarter
Frankfurt, Germany - The financial results for the first three months of the year will be published on 3 May
Lufthansa Cargo transported 426,000 tonnes of freight and mail in the first three months of the year. Tonnage in the term was down by 9.3 per cent in comparison with the exceptionally strong first quarter... more

AirlinesSWISS posts strong load factors in the first quarter
Milan, Italy - It transported 3,609,038 passengers in the first three months of 2012
Swiss International Air Lines transported 3,609,038 passengers in the first three months of 2012 – a 5.1% increase on the 3,432,658 it had carried for the first quarter of last year. The airline operated a... more

IndustryAirplanes. Boeing announces sixth leg of 787 "Dream Tour"
Washington, Usa - Other seven more cities (UK, Norway, Italy and USA)
Boeing will bring the 787 Dreamliner airplane to seven more cities on the sixth leg of the "Dream Tour" later this month and continuing into May. Stops include cities in the UK, Norway, Italy and the U.S. The... more

Civil aviationTransport by airplane. IATA: 68th AGM and World Air Transport Summit in June
Geneva, Switzerland - The event will take place from 10 to 12 in Beijing
The 68th IATA (International Air Transport Association) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit will take place in June from 10-12 in Beijing. The aviation industry continues to face challenges.... more

SecurityUS Navy has started an investigation into the F-18 airplane crash in Virginia
Virginia Beach, USA - The data recorder has been recovered but the causes of the accident are still unknown
The US Navy has started an investigation to clear the causes at the base of the F/A-18D Hornet crash which happened on last April 6 at Virginia Beach, Virginia. "The time to complete investigations... more

IndustryAirbus aircraft orders: Alenia launches new 21 shift system in Nola (Italy)
Nola, Italy - Labour unions claims for their exclusion
The Nola's facility of Alenia-Finmeccanica, Campania, has introduces a new shift system composed of 21 shifts to manage delivery delays of some orders which Airbus assigned to the Italian aircraft-maker.... more

Finance and economyAircraft and economy: India says "No" about European Emission Trading Scheme
Delhi, India - Indian minister for environment defined ETS a "Unilateral measure"
As previously announced (AVIONEWS), India said "No" to the Emission Trading System, or rather the taxing programme with which Europe is targeting airlines worldwide to reduce airplanes carbon pollution. The... more

AerospaceSpace Shuttle "Discovery" will fly over Washington on April 17
Washington, USA - The "Old" spacecraft will rest in a museum after 28 years of service
NASA will transfer the Space Shuttle "Discovery" to the Washington national museum of aviation history to celebrate past achievements in space conquests and inspire future generations. Concerning this,... more

ReportTuninter aircraft disaster: appeal reduces guilty sentences
Palermo, Italy - The accusations: culpable homicide, culpable disaster and heavy culpable damages. The court granted mitigating circumstances
The second appeal of the Court of Palermo about the Tuninter air disaster has granted the mitigating circumstances to the guilties. The accident involved an ATR-72 aircraft operated by the Tunisian carrier... more

Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: diffused unstable as of tomorrow
Rome, Italy - Storms and strong winds on the Middle-South
The bad weather, after a short break, will return as of tomorrow to interest Italy and will be particular heavy on the central-meridional regions. A depression from North Africa will reach this night... more

AirlinesRyanair speaks about cuts at Edinburgh airport
Edinbourgh, United Kingdom - Talks with BAA over a reduction in charges
It seems that a certain resentment is growing between BAA, the agency that manages the airport, and the carrier Ryanair. The management company should sell the airport following a decision by the Competition... more

IndustryRR to power two further LCS for the US Navy
London, UK - With MT30 gas turbines
Rolls-Royce (RR), the global power systems company, has secured a contract to supply power and propulsion systems for the two latest vessels in the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme. Designed t... more

IndustryHelicopters. AW delivers AW-139 aircraft to Egyptian Air Force
Cascina Costa, Italy - For Search and Rescue missions
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced that AW North America, Inc. has delivered AW-139 aircraft to the Egyptian Air Force via its contract with US Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM)... more

AirportsWarsaw: "Chopin Airport" passenger numbers up 5% in March
Warsaw, Poland - It handled nearly 696,000 travellers
In terms of passengers handled, the third month of 2012 was the second best March in the "Chopin" airport’s history, falling slightly short of its all time high of 714,500 recorded in 2008. The number o... more

AerospacePyongyang will carry on its space programme despite international warnings
Pyongyang, North Korea - "North Korea could afford to feed its population for a year with that money"
Despite controls and warnings from United States, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan, the launch of the "Unha-3" rocket will proceed as planned and Pyongyang announced that it was fuelling the three-stage... more

Military aviationAsian debut for the A-400M aircraft
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Three-Nation tour for one of the latest releases by Airbus Military
Airbus Military, a subsidiary of the well-known European company, has planned a debut tour in Malaysia for its new tactical transport A-400M aircraft. Royal Malaysian Air Force pilots will fly the big... more

AccidentsTilt-rotor Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey aircraft crashes in Morocco
Agadir, Morocco - Four crew members: two died on impact
A MV-22 Osprey aircraft, a high-wing tilt-rotor used by the US Marine Corps and by US Air Force Special Operations Command, crashed in Morocco yesterday April 11, 2012 during a training mission. The... more

AirlinesAlitalia promotes the Classica Plus class with special tariffs
Rome, Italy - Until April 27
It will be possible to acquire tickets at a promotional tariff to fly in the comfort of Classica Plus, the new premium economy by Alitalia on long haul air links, until April 27, to be used by October... more

Science and technologyNew techniques for aircraft painting
Sydney, Australia - An alkoxide will save time and costs
The joint-venture between Boeing and CSIRO (Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) has been running for 23 years and was extended for a further five years in relation... more

IndustryAstrium awarded ESA contract to continue development of the Ariane 5 ME
Paris, France - The decision on the final phase will be taken by the ESA member States at the upcoming Ministerial Council meeting slated for November 2012
Astrium, Europe’s space technology company, has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) to pursue development of the Ariane 5 Midlife Evolution (A5 ME) launcher. The decision on the f... more

AerospaceRobot-gloves for astronauts in the future
Washington, USA - They will double finger force
A team from NASA and auto maker General Motors has developed a mechanical glove (or robotic glove) which will help astronauts (but also ground workers) in their heavier duties that require an "Iron grip". The... more

ReportJapan is ready to shoot down the North-Korean rocket; Russia sends spy aircraft
Honshu, Japan - The launch is planned this week, but the hypothesis of a ballistic missile from Pyongyang is not yet excluded
Many experts and countries expressed their concerns about the new space mission North Korea is ready to launch. These concerns are most of all related to the hypothesis Pyongyang is hiding the development... more

Finance and economyOman Air reveals its annual financial report for the year 2011
Milan, Italy - Added two E-175 regional aircraft and two new destinations
Oman Air has recently published its annual report for 2011 that reflects the accomplishments achieved by the company, in addition to the outstanding efforts and the successful approach towards the development... more

AirportsBrussels airport will introduce new landing system
Brussels, Belgium - Noise reduction in addition to fuel and time savings
Brussels airport is fighting back against fuel cost increases by optimizing the fuel burning during landings. Last year, five operators (Brussels Airlines, DHL, Jetair, Singapore Airlines Cargo and Thomas... more

IndustryAirbus: Garuda Indonesia orders 11 more A-330 airplanes
Jakarta, Indonesia - Aircraft are key element in fleet modernisation programme
Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier of Indonesia, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 11 more A-330/300 wide-body aircraft. The contract was signed today in Jakarta by Emirsyah Satar, President... more

IndustryCameron announces deal for 11 A-330 aircraft in Indonesia
London, United Kingdom - The premier shows UK's plans towards the East
English prime minister David Cameron has announced a 326 million pound deal with Garuda Indonesia, speaking of a template where the United Kingdom is targeting Asia. Cameron said the contract, which includes... more

SecurityMan spared jail after targeting police helicopter with a laser
Bristol, United Kingdom - The judge: "People who attempt to target helicopters should expect to go to prison"
Stuart Bowering, 31, father-of-five, was given a 12-month community order and told to repay the 200 pound court costs, avoiding jail "By a whisker". The man shone a laser pen at a police helicopter... more

UAS-DronesGeorgia tests its domestically designed drone-aircraft
Tblisi, Georgia - Local technology development after WikiLeaks rumors
Yesterday April 10, 2012, the first Georgia-made drone aircraft conducted its maiden flight successful at a military base near the capital Tblisi. The Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili observed that... more

ReportSyria: military aircraft over Damascus in spite of Annan ceasefire
Damascus, Syria - 101 deaths during yesterday's fights
Kofi Annan, UN mediator in Syria, said the Syrian government has assured him they will respect a ceasefire with rebel forces after the heavy escalation in casualties during the "War against armed terrorist... more

CuriositiesSupermarine Spitfire aircraft flies again over Kent
Biggin Hill, United Kingdom - Eight years and two million pounds to restore it
Some countries in the world are used to appreciating more than just commercial demonstrations of modern aircraft. Some countries enhance their past aviation glories with all the passion and the nostalgia... more

AirportsBrussels South Charleroi: +2% traffic in the first quarter of 2012
Brussels, Belgium - A total of 1,226,523 passengers in January, February and March
Brussels South Charleroi Airport registered a total of 1,226,523 passengers in January, February and March 2012. This concerns an increase of 2% compared to the 1,202,625 passengers registered in the same... more

HelicoptersAW and Karl Lagerfeld to cooperate on the development of an exclusive AW-139 Vip interior
Cascina Costa, Italy - With the possibility to expand the partnership to other models
AgustaWestland (AW), a Finmeccanica company, and the fashion design house Karl Lagerfeld announced yesterday their partnership for the design of a VIP helicopter interiors and exteriors. The cooperation... more

HelicoptersSikorsky S-92 "Legacy of Heroes" helicopter to visit New Delhi
New Delhi, India - The aircraft is at "Indira Gandhi International airport" until tomorrow
Sikorsky Aircraft’s S-92 “Legacy of Heroes” (LOH) demonstration helicopter visits New Delhi this week, hosting customers and recognizing local heroes while the aircraft is at "Indira Gandhi International airpo... more

UAS-DronesIsrael wants VTOL drone-aircraft for its Navy
Tel Aviv, Israel - Steadicopter project could be a candidate
The Israeli Navy wants a UAV system capable of vertical take-off and landing to equip its Dvora-class patrol ships, fast armed motorboats used for short-range coast patrols. "We want to use fully autonomous... more

AccidentsLight aircraft crashes in Italy: 31 year old pilot dies
Caserta , Italy - Tecnam P-92 aircraft loses altitude and crashes
A microlight aircraft crashed yesterday afternoon near Benevento, Italy. The pilot, Agostino Vaiano, died on impact. The intervention of the fire department from Telese Terme simply declared the air disaster... more

Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: unstable as of tomorrow
Rome, Italy - Thunderstorms on the Middle-North
An Atlantic depression will reach the central Mediterranean as of tomorrow, bringing a day of diffuse instability over the all Country, with rough seas and storms in the Northern regions and central regions... more

AirlinesAir Malta, daily connections to Tripoli as of May
Valletta, Malta - The carrier announces plans (in a finalization phase) to reopen operations to Benghazi
Air Malta announces another two daily flights to Tripoli that will complete the weekly frequency towards the Libyan capital: the first with departure as of Wednesday April 18 and the second from Friday... more

Military aviationFirst Airbus Military A-330MRTT aircraft delivered to RAF
London, United Kingdom - The airplane has received both civil and military certifications
The Royal Air Force (RAF) officially received today April 10 2012 its first Airbus Military A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft. The airplane, which has made some flights with the English colours... more

CargoEtihad Airways carries record air cargo in March
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Equal to 31,700 tonnes, +20%
UAE national carrier Etihad Airways carried a record 31,700 tonnes of cargo in March, an increase of 20 per cent on the previous year. Total revenues for the month were up 14 per cent on February and... more

HelicoptersEurocopter completes a successful "FIDAE" logging 11 bookings for helicopters
Santiago, Chile - 4 AS-350B3e, 3 EC-145, 3 EC-130T2 and 1 EC-155B1
Through its subsidiary in the Southern Cone region, Eurocopter has announced the signing of five contracts and six letters of intent with a number of private and parapublic operators in Argentina, Chile... more

AirlinesSingapore Airlines to add third daily A-380 plane service between Singapore and London
Milan, Italy - As of next June 1
Singapore Airlines’ three daily services on the Singapore-London route will all be operated with the A-380 airplane from 1 June 2012. Currently, two of the services are operated with the superjumbo w... more

Civil aviationUTair is to maintain flights using its ATR-72/500 aircraft
Moscow, Russia - The other ATR-72/200 will remain grounded
"Having carefully carried out the recommendations in the Rostranznadzor directive (Russian safety agency) of April 6, UTair is continuing flights with ATR-72/500 aircraft built in 2011/2012" the company... more

Military aviationNetherlands reduces its F-16 fleet size; F-35 purchase postponed
Amsterdam, Netherlands - "Only 4.5 billion Euro reserved for the F-35 programme"
The Netherlands will reduce its operational F-16 fighter fleet from 87 to 68 aircraft and declares that the decision on buying the F-35 "Joint Strike Fighter" has been deferred until after elections planned... more

UAS-DronesHelicopter-drone MQ-8B "Fire Scouts" grounded
Washington, USA - Two accidents brought the decision to suspend flights
It seems Northrop Grumman has closed its MQ-8B "Fire Scout" programme (a drone-helicopter capable of land surveillance and strike). Those UAVs are on an "Operational pause" for the indefinite future since... more

Civil aviationVirgin Australia will take a 10% stake in Skywest Airlines; the regional aircraft fleet is growing
Sydney, Australia - "We recently received final approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission"
Virgin Australia will invest around 8.3 million dollars to take a 10% stake in Skywest Airlines local carrier. The agreement includes the possibility to convert the financial facility into ordinary Skywest... more