AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,597 news found

AirlinesLufthansa cuts fares on Italy flights
Milan, Italy - Discount on routes from Malpensa to Bari, Naples, Olbia and Palermo
New tariff level for domestic flights of Lufthansa Italy. Italian branch of Germany flag-carrier raises the challenge on the Peninsula and revises rates for the national network. Routes from Milan-Malpensa... more

AirlinesBritish Airways in code-share with American on Mexico routes
London, UK - From October 1st, 2010
As from October 1st British Airways will expand its operations to Mexico, thanks to code-share with American Airlines. The two carriers are already operating along the route to Cancun and the new service... more

AerospaceCERN antimatter detector in space in 2011
Geneva, Switzerland - To operate as external payload on ISS
Alpha Magnetics Spectrometer (AMS) will be in space by early 2011. AMS is a particle detector designed and built in Geneva (Switzerland) to operate as an external payload on the International Space Station... more

AirlinesSAS code-shares with Estonian Air on new route
Stockholm, Sweden - Two capital cities linked from October 31
SAS will code-share with Estonian Air on the airline's new Stockholm-Vilnius route that will commence October 31. The new route will operate daily except Saturdays and will offer smooth connections... more

DiscussionsAssembly on 1,000th B-767 airplane: further details
Rome, Italy - Highlights and curiosities
It's a particularly important time in Italy, where the B-767 airplane is present in the fleets of four airlines for long haul flights (Blue Panorama, Air Italy, Alitalia, Neos) and because it is produced... more

Science and technologyChinese-Czech solar power station opens
Prague, Czech Republic - 35 megawatt capacity, at 20 km from Prague
The largest solar power station in the Czech Republic opened on yesterday in the village of Veprek, some 20 kilometers north of Prague. It has been built with a strong help from China: in fact, the key... more

Civil aviationMuac: air traffic rebounds in European airspace
Maastricht, The Netherlands - Despite flights reductions due to the Icelandic volcanic eruption
"An average air traffic growth of 4% in the airspace controlled by the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) in the last four months clearly shows that the aviation industry is starting to recover",... more

AirlinesAir transport. "LATAM Airlines Group", further details on LAN/TAM merger
Sao Paulo , Brazil - Governance, structure, official quotation and goals of the Group that LAN and TAM airlines want to form
As already announced (see AVIONEWS), Chilean LAN Airlines s.a. and Brazilian TAM SA signed a MOU, Memorandum Of Understanding, that outlines their intention to combine their holdings under a single parent... more

AirlinesAir transport: no to Virgin-Delta alliance by US Department of Transportation
Washington, USA - Proposed reject for Antitrust immunity, because it wouldn't “Produce sufficient public benefits”
The proposed alliance between Australian and American airlines, Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd - Delta Air Lines on trans-Pacific routes, was rejected by US regulators today. The US Department of Transport... more

AirportsAirgest: nearly 7,000 passengers a day travelling from and to Trapani-Birgi airport
Trapani, Italy - Another record growth in the month of August
214,868 passengers travelled from and to "Vincenzo Florio" Trapani-Birgi's airport in the month of August 2010 (an increase of 61,61% with respect to 132,951 passengers in August 2009). An average of nearly... more

OccurrencesA-380 aircraft aborts landing due to strong wind
Manchester, UK - Took off from Dubai airport, return flight delayed by 24 hours after electrical failure
The Airbus 380, the world’s biggest passenger airplane, forced to abort a landing after being hit by a strong gust of wind, on last Monday. Passengers were scheduled to have lunch in Manchester, but t... more

IndustryBoeing begins assembly of 1,000th B-767 aircraft
Everett, Usa - Destined to ANA in February 2011
Boeing has begun assembly of the 1,000th B-767 airplane at the factory in Everett, Wash. Mechanics took the first step in major assembly by loading the wing spar into the assembly tool. The spar is the... more

AerospaceBad weather delays Russian Progress M spacecraft launch
Baikonur, Russia - It was to reach ISS with supplies for station crew
Today, for the first time in history the launch of a Russian spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed due to bad weather conditions. "The launch of the Progress M-07M... more

SecurityIn October security operations by US-EU joint-taskforce in European airports
Paris, France - US officials will check the passenger lists on departing flights
Last airport to activate the new Euro-American agency was Paris “Charles de Gaulle”: four US policemen are already active in the hub of la Ville Lumiere to check the identity of those who board a pla... more

AirlinesAir France, traffic to less 1.2% in August
Paris, France - Also fallen rival BA -2.9%
Passengers fall for Air France, which in August reported a drop of 1.2%, although the company hopes in an early booking positive trend for the future. The decline figures of the French carrier is... more

DefenseRussian military command structure to be reorganized
Moscow, Russia - Some of their functions will be transferred
Central commands of Russia's Air Force, Navy and Ground Forces will be retained but some of their functions will be transferred to integrated strategic commands, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said... more

AirportsBrussels airport: a passenger increase of 35% in August
Brussels, Belgium - Equal to 556,397
Brussels South Charleroi has registered 556,397 passengers, an increase of 35% in comparison to 411,913 in August 2009. Of all the companies present, Jetairfly has achieved the biggest increase in the... more

Civil aviationAviapartner obtains IATA Isago certification
Rome, Italy - After Malpensa, Turin and Venice will be next airports to reach it
Aviapartner has obtained for that concerning its activity in Italy the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certificates in Nice, Milan-Malpensa and... more

DefenseFurther delays in Bulava missile new testing
Moscow, Russia - Scheduled on Sept. 9-12, now postponed...again
“H????????? ??????”: neschastnyi? Bulava. So we should start to call the ill-fated Russia's submarine ballistic missile, which according to Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, will resume lauch tes... more

HelicoptersIndia: AgustaWestland-Tata joint venture for AW-119 helicopter assembling
New Delhi, India - A new production plant at New Dehli airport
Rotorcraft, a joint-venture between Tata and the Italian helicopters manufacturing company AgustaWestland, will set up a unit of production near the "Rajiv Gandhi International Airport". Here, the JV will... more

IndustryTatarstan, new plant for Superjet 100 aircraft components
Kazan, Tatarstan - Should produce composite materials structures for Sukhoi's
In the Republic of Tatarstan, will rise a new industrial plant from AeroComposite, Russian company of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) group. Within the first months of 2013 should begin to construct... more

HelicoptersS-70i Black Hawk on public display for the first time
Kielce , Poland - The Sikorsky's helicopter is at the MSPO exhibition through tomorrow
S-70i Black Hawk helicopter is at the MSPO, the international defense industry exhibition in Kielce, Poland, through tomorrow, September 9th 2010. In this show, the aircraft is on public display for the... more

AirlinesRussian billionaire ready to climb Tui
Hanover, Germany - Alexei Mordashov is to "Forbes" the 18th richest man in the world
The third richest man in Russia points to climb Tui, the largest European tour operator that also controls the airline Tuifly and Hapag-Lloyd cargo air-shipping carrier. Alexei Mordashov, 42, currently... more

AerospaceRussia orbits 3 communication satellites
Moscow, Russia - Two for military services, one for Glonass navigation system
A Russian carrier rocket Rokot took off from the Plesetsk space center in northern Russia, this morning at 07:30, Moscow time (3:30 GMT), carrying into orbit a Gonets-M and two Kosmos, as reported by... more

AerospaceAVIO: first production contract for the Vega launcher
Rivalta di Torino, Italy - Though its ELV subsidiary
The Avio Group, through its ELV subsidiary, and Arianespace have signed yesterday a frame contract for five launch Vega vehicles with a firm order for the first launch vehicle. At the same ceremony,... more

ReportFalse bomb alert on a Thai Airways plane
Los Angeles, USA - FBI have begun a probe to discover the source of the threat
According to investigators, no evidence of a bomb was found aboard 794 flight from Bangkok to Los Angeles. The Thai Airways flight departed from Bangkok at 7:30 pm local time yesterday, carrying about... more

AirlinesAeroflot meets Putin's wishes and buy Made in Russia
Moscow, Russia - Presented a plan for acquisition of new homemade airplanes
When in Russia, Vladimir Putin raises his voice, usually, then things go as he wanted. This is what happened with Aeroflot, who had Russian prime minister “Yelling” for flag-carrier's reluctance to buy... more

AirlinesBritish Airways-Iberia possible merger with Qantas or American
London, UK - At least 12 airlines potentially targeted
It is not yet officially celebrated the marriage between British Airways (BA) and Iberia, already could outline a ménage-a-trois: International Airlines Group is considering - selecting between at least... more

AirlinesCA: tropical storm "Hermine" to affect Texas flights
Houston, Usa - The Us carrier announced travel options
Continental Airlines announced travel options for customers whose flight plans may be affected by Tropical Storm "Hermine". Storm conditions are expected to make air travel difficult in Texas, forcing... more

CuriositiesEtihad pilot qualifies to become first female captain
Abu Dhabi, EAU - She's Sophie Blanchard
Etihad Airways is celebrating the maiden commercial flight of its first female Captain, Sophie Blanchard. Captain Blanchard, a French national, will take the controls of the left hand seat in the flight... more

DefenseAbkhazia: Russia deployment of S-300 missiles is no threat to area, says French minister Kouchner
Paris, France - No surprise in Washington: systems appear to be in place for past 2 years
Deployment of Russia's S-300 air defense systems in Abkhazia is non threat, according to Bernard Kouchner, France Foreign Minister. Whether this statement is inspired by France now-long-time “Feud” wit... more

AerospaceTelespazio and Thales Alenia Space: programme kickoff for Göktürk satellite system
Rome, Italy - Together with Sicral 2 are the last two major programmes built in the frame of the Space Alliance
Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space yesterday announced the official start of the Göktürk observation satellite system for the Turkish Ministry of Defense. The original contract was signed by Telespazio a... more

AirlinesAlitalia: "ESTA" authorization will cost USD 14 from today
Rome, Italy - Travellers won't be allowed to board without it
The US authorities require that from today, September 9th 2010, authorization "ESTA" (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), compulsory for travelling to USA and free until today, will cost 14 dollars.... more

AirlinesTam Airlines to open own office in Hong Kong
Sao Paulo, Brazil - It is part of the carrier's Asia strategy
Tam Airlines will launch later this year an administration and marketing office in Hong Kong to support business growth in Asia. The air company currently has sales offices in Korea, India and Japan, Thailand... more

ReportMore than 200 Chinese civil pilots falsified their résumés?
Bejing , China - Because of the CAAC finding, Chinese Government is conducting an investigation
CAAC, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, found that more than 200 Chinese pilots lied, in 2008 and 2009, declaring on their résumés more hours spent flying than they really did. More than h... more

CuriositiesYesterday the 150th anniversary of the "Weather forecasts"
London, England - Memories of Robert FitzRoy, the father of weather forecasts and the one who published first ones on "The Times"
On September 6th 1860, the first daily weather forecasts were published on "The Times". They were made by Robert FitzRoy, an admiral whose life was full of events. Born in 1805 in Ampton Hall, England,... more

Finance and economyObama: 50 billions for improvements in the nation's surface transportation and airports
Milwaukee, USA - The infrastructure plan also to rebuild "150 miles of runways and advance a next-generation air traffic control system"
Yesterday the US President spent Labor Day speeching at Laborfest. He announced a long-term rebuilding project to rehabilitate the nation's infrastructures. The six-year $ 50 billions plan will rehabilitate... more

Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: thunderstorms on the most part of the Peninsula
Rome, Italy - As already announced
As already announced, next days will have the effects of a perturbation of North-Atlantic origin that will cause conditions of a fickleness on the central-northern regions and locally on the South. The... more

AirlinesAer Lingus ponders on regional aircraft
Dublin, Eire - Would be useful to cover routes unsuitable for turboprops
Aer Lingus is analyzing the potential for introducing regional jets in its network, to operate on routes that do not justify the use of larger aircraft. The Irish carrier operates a fleet of A-320 and... more

AccidentsUPS Boeing 747 crash in Dubai, flight data recorder found
Dubai, UAE - Further analysis to be made, causes still not clear
Investigators at the wreckage of UPS B-747/400 (registered N571UP) cargo plane recovered the flight data recorder Tuesday as experts seek the cause of last week's crash, including a report of smoke in... more

AirportsAutogrill renews its concession at Birmingham Airport
Milan, Italy - For ten years, up until 2021
Through its subsidiary WDF, Autogrill Group has strengthened its presence in the UK. The Group has extended its contract for the management of travel retail and duty free business in Birmingham Airport... more

Civil aviationEuropean passenger traffic up 6.3% during July
Brussels, Belgium - Cargo +20.1%; movements +2.9%
The overall passenger traffic at European airports increased by +6.3% in July 2010 compared with July 2009. The overall freight traffic among European airports increased +20.1% in July 2010 when compared... more

AirportsBologna airport flies over 600 thousand passengers in August
Bologna, Italy - +11,9% on month basis, aggregate 2010 +14,2%
August ends in traffic growth at Bologna airport, which will exceed 600 thousand passengers. These figures are an increase of 11,9% over the same month of 2009. Among the driving forces, international... more

AirlineseasyJet about strike of today in France: probable air traffic irregularities
Milan, Italy - The protest fixed by flight controllers
easyJet and all the airlines that operate from/to France or use the French air space could be have irregularities, due to the strike by French air traffic controllers fixed for today in the Country. The... more

IndustryAfghan feet of G-222 planes reach flight-hour milestone
Washington, Usa - Take delivery of 6th and 7th aircraft
Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica (A Finmeccanica Company), announced today that the Afghan fleet of G-222s has logged over 1,000 flight hours. The G-222 is being used by the Afghanistan... more

AirlinesBritish Airways and Iberia have identified 12 potential carriers to buy or merge
London, England - According to "The Financial Times", their aim is to "Create the world’s largest airline and shake-up the aviation world"
According to "The Financial Times", British Airways chief and Iberia's top executives have identified 12 potential airlines (from an initial list of 40) to buy or merge after the shareholders' approval... more

DefenseRussian and French warships exercise in Atlantic
Paris, France - Practice at sea, replenishment of supplies, ship-to-ship transfer of goods, and helicopter landings
Russia's Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser takes part in a joint exercise with the French Latouche-Treville anti-submarine frigate yesterday afternoon. A French Navy spokesman said after... more

Military aviationRussian Su-27SKM fighter jet postponed handover to Indonesia, accomplished today
Makassar, Indonesia - Third contracted plane will be delivered on Sept. 16th
Russia delivers two of its contracted Su fighter jets to Indonesia today, which is two days later comparing to the previously announced date, according to Russian press agency "RIA Novosti". Today a Russia's... more

DefenseRussian air force drills on Israeli drones
Moscow, Russia - UAV contract signed in April 2009, a second one to be by yearend
About 50 Russian military servicemen are undergoing training in the use of Israeli-built Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Russian Defense Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov, said yesterday, when Russia and Israel... more

Weather forecastsWeather: storms on all the Italian Country arriving
Rome, Italy - An improvement into the week-end
The week started yesterday will have effects of a perturbation of North-Atlantic origin in a quick approaching to the central Mediterranean area that will bring thunderstorms also of strong intensity on... more