AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,325 news found
HelicoptersPresident Obama might veto the VH-71 helicopter
Washington, USA - Clear signals coming from the US administration
The president of the United States, Barack Obama, will not sign the defense appropriations bill if it includes any funding for the already closed AgustaWestland VH-71 presidential helicopter programme.... more
IndustryFinmeccanica: Board of Directors approves quarterly results to 30 September
Rome, Italy - Revenues up 30%. New orders increase 18%
The Finmeccanica's Board has approved yesterday the quarterly results to 30 September. Here the highlights. "Adjusted EBITA advances 46%. Net profit, excluding extraordinary operations, up 6%. The... more
Civil aviationPiper Aircraft sales' crisis in the third quarter of 2009 according to GAMA
Vero Beach, USA - All the industry is facing serious difficulties
A report issued by the US General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) shows that in the third quarter of 2009 Piper Aircraft has lost one third of its sales, selling 24 airplanes versus the 77 sold... more
PeopleGuy Joannes new head of Eurocopter Canada
Fort Erie, Canada - Starting from October 2009
Eurocopter Canada has appointed Guy Joannes as its new President and CEO, starting from October 2009. Guy has an impressive track record in the rotorcraft industry where he has held key senior positions... more
HelicoptersKazakhstan and Finmeccanica sign Memorandum of Understanding
Rome, Italy - Moreover, plans for a jv between AW and the SWFSK to build a civil helicopter training and maintenance centre are currently being evaluated
"Kairat Kelimbetov, the Chairman of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna, and Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, Chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conclude... more
AirlinesAlitalia: positive operating result of EUR 15 million in the third quarter
Rome, Italy - With improvements in load factor, punctuality and regularity of flights
"The Executive Committee of Alitalia - Compagnia Aerea Italiana SpA (CAI), met yesterday in Rome, chaired by Roberto Colaninno, and examined the results for the third quarter of the Group’s consolidated b... more
DefenseItalian Navy: "Commander Cigala Fulgosi" patroller into UNIFIL in Lebanon
Rome, Italy - The "Aviere" ship makes a return after more than two months in active service
"The 'Commander Cigala Fulgosi' patroller of the Italian Navy has replaced the 'Aviere' patroller in the ambit of the UNIFIL maritime force (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). The 'Aviere' ship,... more
DefenseNew range record for Lockheed Martin's GMLRS missile
Dallas, USA - Launched at a distance of more than 90 km
Lockheed Martin today announced that it has successfully fired a US Army Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket 92 km in a test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The flawless test... more
AirlinesSouthwest Airlines reports traffic growth for October 2009
Dallas, USA - Slight increase also in the first 10 months of the year
Southwest Airlines announced today that it flew 6.3 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in October 2009, a 1.9% increase from the 6.2 billion RPMs flown in October 2008. Available seat miles (ASMs)... more
Science and technology"Solar Impulse": the prototype of the solar aircraft tomorrow will be leaving its hangar at Dübendorf
Zurich, Switzerland - It will undergo initial series of tests involving first its four engines
"Weather permitting, tomorrow the HB-SIA prototype of the Solar Impulse (aircraft powered by solar energy) will be leaving its hangar at Dübendorf aerodrome near Zurich. It will undergo initial series... more
AirlinesAmerican Airlines has flown fuller airplanes in October
Fort Worth, USA - Traffic decreased compared to last year
American Airlines has issued its results for October 2009, reporting a load factor of 83.1%, an increase of 4.0 points versus the same period last year. Traffic decreased 2.6% and capacity decreased 7.3%... more
Weather forecastsBad weather: storms arriving on the center-south and on the major islands of Italy
Rome, Italy - The issued advice is valid since tomorrow morning
"An atmospheric disturbance centered on the Mediterranean sea is moving towards the Italian peninsula during the upcoming night, bringing highly unstable weather conditions on the center-southern regions... more
IndustryPlans for Piaggio Aero's new facility in Savona discarded
Savona, Italy - It would have been built near the Univeristy campus of Legino
The plans to build a new industrial facility of the Italian manufacturer Piaggio Aero near the University campus of Legino (Savona), in northern Italy, have been discarded. The new center would have been... more
PeoplePiper Aircraft president resigned
Vero Beach, USA - Just six months after taking the role
The president of Piper Aircraft, John Becker, has resigned with effect from December 1, 2009. The company's vice-president of Human Resources, Steve Johnston, issued a communication to the employees, explaining... more
DefenseThe French ship "Mistral" will arrive in St. Petersburg on November 23
St. Petersburg, Russia - Russia is ready to buy the amphibious assault helicopter carrier
The French helicopter carrier "Mistral" sent to Russia by the government of Paris is going to arrive in the port of St. Petersburg on November 23. Moscow's government in fact is about to buy one of these... more
CargoFirst flight of the Airbus A-330/200F completed successfully
Toulouse, France - First delivery scheduled in August 2010
The first flight of the new Airbus A-330/200F cargo aircraft has been completed successfully today at the manufacturer's facilities in Toulouse, France.The maiden flight has been performed by pilots Philippe... more
Military aviationThe new AESA radar equipped Gripen takes off
Linköping, Sweden - The device is built by Selex Sensors & Airborne Systems
The test model of the Saab Gripen fighter, equipped with the AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) Vixen 1000E/ES05 Raven radar built by Selex Sensors & Airborne Systems (American branch of Selex... more
Military aviationSouth Africa cancels Airbus A-400M order
Johannesburg, South African Republic - Due to delays and excessive cost increase
The government of the South African Republic today announced that it has cancelled its order for eight Airbus Military (EADS) A-400M airlifters. It is the first order cancellation for the European consortium... more
Military aviationBAE Systems completes deliveries of Hawk aircraft to India
Warton, UK - The trainer has joined the fleet at Air Force Station Bidar
BAE Systems has delivered the 24th and final UK built Indian Hawk trainer aircraft, after completing a flight development contract for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Following a journey across Europe, Africa... more
Government actsItalian question on the failure of the "Mobile Arm" at the airport of Catania
Rome, Italy - Presented to the Hon. Ferdinando Latteri (Mixed Movement for the autonomy of the South Allied)
"At the Ministry of Infrastructure and transport. To gain information given that: at the Fontanarossa airport in Catania, it is known, that the 'Luffing' needed for boarding and disembarking from... more
Military aviationAustralian companies might build F-35 parts locally
Melbourne, Australia - Thanks to the MoUs signed by Lockheed Martin
The Australian Ministry for Defence announced yesterday that Lockheed Martin had signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) in Melbourne with three companies for future F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike... more
SecurityFAA AD on Airbus model A-300/600 airplanes (2009-21-12)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: (Volume 74, Number 206)] [Page 55112-55116] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
SecurityFAA AD on Eurocopter France (ECF) model EC-155B and EC-155B1 helicopters (2009-22-04)
Washington, Usa - To prevent a loss of control of the helicopter
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: (Volume 74, Number 207)] [Page 55447-55449] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
AccidentsAir Zimbabwe aircraft skids off runway for warthog strike
Harare, Zimbabwe - Equipment seized to two journalist who photographed the event
A Xian MA-60 aircraft of the airline Air Zimbabwe Tuesday evening had a curious accident, luckily without consequences for the 34 passengers on board. The airplane in fact, just before takeoff from Harare... more
Civil aviationCanadian certificate for Pratt & Whitney's PW535E engine
Longueuil, Canada - It will power the Embraer Phenom 300 aircraft
Pratt & Whitney Canada (United Technologies) has received Transport Canada type certification for its new PW535E engine selected to power the Embraer Phenom 300 light business jet. The PW535E turbofan... more
SecurityFAA AD on General Electric Company CF6-80C2 series turbofan engines (2009-21-07)
Washington, Usa - To prevent loss of asymmetric thrust and thrust control
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: (Volume 74, Number 206)] [Page 55126-55130] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
IndustryErrata on the press-release: the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 "Master" makes its 1,000th flight.
Venegono, Italy - In the last paragraph, concerning Singapore, the M-346 is participating in the competition for the (48) aircraft and a complete integrated training system; 48 a/c is not correct, is an error referring to UAE
"The new M-346 Master advanced trainer designed by Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, has reached the symbolic 1,000-flight milestone. The flight was made by the third prototype, representative... more
HelicoptersSikorsky delivered new VIP helicopter to the UK Royal Family
Coatesville, USA - The S-76C++ entered service in September
Sikorsky Global Helicopters, a branch of Sikorsky Aircraft (United Technologies), has delivered a new VIP S-76C++ helicopter to the Royal Travel Office for use by the Royal Family of the United Kingdom.... more
Press releaseAVIO: €13 million contract for propulsion of SMALL-GEO satellites
Rivalta di Torino, Italy - Signed a contract with the OHB-System Company in Bremen
"Avio has signed a €13 million contract with the OHB-System Company in Bremen, Germany, to develop and produce the propulsion unit of the launch platform for SMALL-GEO satellites (geostationary satellites f... more
UAS-DronesDutch military certificate for the Raven B UAS
Monrovia, USA - It will be used by the Defense on the country's airspace
The Military Aviation Authority of the Netherlands has issued a Military Type Certificate for the Raven B NLD MUAS (Micro Unmanned Aircraft System), built by AeroVironment, the first such certificate issued... more
AirlinesBoarding Pass on mobile with Air France and KLM
Rome, Italy - The service is now also being offered to passengers from Fiumicino, Linate and Malpensa
"After launching its world premier on the mobile boarding pass for international flights in September 2008, between Paris and Amsterdam, and later by many European airports, today Air France and KLM have... more
SecurityFAA's letter to Northwest Airlines revoking license to Flight 188's pilots
Washington, USA - They missed their arrival airport by 240 km because they had been working on their laptops
Some US media published the letter sent by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) -which is attached to this story- to revoke the license to the two Northwest Airlines' pilots who overflew their arrival... more
AirlinesUS Airways reports record load factor
Tempe, USA - In October 2009
US Airways today announced October and year-to-date 2009 traffic results. Revenue passenger miles (RPM) for the month were 4.7 billion, down 0.8% versus October 2008. Capacity was 5.7 billion available... more
AirlinesUnited Airlines: traffic down in October 2009
Chicago, USA - Load factor grows thanks to a capacity decrease
United Airlines unveiled its preliminary consolidated traffic results for October 2009. The air company reported an October consolidated passenger load factor of 83.1%. Total consolidated revenue passenger... more
OccurrencesTurkish Airlines' airplane loses engine cowling
Istanbul, Turkey - The Control Tower notes the damage on take-off
The pilot of a A-320/200 plane of Turkish Airlines was forced today to invert its route and return to "Ataturk" airport in Istanbul, from where it had just taken off for a direct flight to Cairo (Egypt)... more
Civil aviationEurocontrol signed bilateral agreements for a new service to launch
Brussels, Belgium - It's Pan-European Repository of Information Supporting Civil-Military Performance Measurements (PRISMIL)
EUROCONTROL has signed bilateral agreements with Belgium, France and Germany to launch the Pan-European Repository of Information Supporting Civil-Military Performance Measurements (PRISMIL) Service.... more
UAS-DronesThailand wants to build its own UAV
Bangkok, Thailandia - To reduce costs and expenses of the reconnaissance missions
The Defence Ministry of Thailand has announced its intention to launch a programme for the development and production of a squadron of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for the air forces of the country. The... more
AirportsSummer 2010: Jetairfly starts 6 new destinations from Brussels-South Charleroi
Brussels, Belgium - The stationing of a new carrier's aircraft at this airport
Brussels-South Charleroi, the most accessible airport in Belgium, announced the stationing of a new Jetairfly aircraft yesterday as well as the opening of 6 new Jetairfly routes to: Istanbul, Al Hoceima,... more
Military aviationMaintenance of the Australian F-111s completed
Amberley, Australia - Works began in 1974 and passed to Boeing since 2001
Boeing today delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) the 28th and final F-111 serviced by Boeing under the Deeper Maintenance program, at a ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley (Australia). The... more
AirportsItaly: Palermo airport positive trend goes on
Palermo, Italy - Passenger traffic and movements up in October
The positive period of the "Falcone e Borsellino" airport of Palermo goes on. In October 2009, in fact, scheduled flights on the Sicilian airport have been 3,670, 2.06% more than last year. The number... more
AirportsItaly: Alghero airport reported traffic up 14%
Alghero, Italy - Thanks mainly to the new national flights operated by Ryanair
The "Riviera del corallo" airport of Alghero, Italy, has reported a 14% growth in passenger traffic for October 2009, thanks mainly to the new national flights operated by the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair,... more
IndustryChinese engine for the COMAC C-919 unveiled
Shanghai, China - Ready by 2016, it should replace those supplied by western companies
An engine model for the new COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) C-919 airliner has been unveiled at the "China International Industry Fair 2009" in Shanghai. The SF-A engine, designed by AVIC... more
PeopleGiancarlo Zeni, new COO of Blue Panorama Airlines
Rome, Italy - Manager of great experience and professionalism, Zeni is to coordinate different, strategic and operational areas of the company
"Blue Panorama Airlines announced the appointment of Dr. Giancarlo Zeni (Chief Operating Officer) as Director General of the air company. The choice to choose Zeni, corresponds with the will to appertain... more
CuriositiesBritish Airways: Italians struggle with time away from families when travelling on business
London, UK - According to a survey commissioned by YouGov on the behalf of BA
"A fifth of Italians feel guilty about leaving behind family and friends when travelling on business, according to a British Airways survey of 6,000 Europeans (commissioned by You Gov), and a third miss... more
Civil aviationAEA: Ireland determined to become a no-fly zone?
Brussels, Belgium - Fewer passengers, higher fees creating a "Vicious spiral", according to Association
Hot on the heels of the Irish air passenger tax, which has added €10 to passenger journeys and contributed to a fall in passenger numbers at Irish airports of 15% this summer, comes the news that Ireland’s air... more
SecurityTwo Qantas pilots suspended for not deploying the landing gear
Sydney, Australia - The occurrence on October 26 on flight QF458
Two pilots of the Australian airline Qantas have been suspended following October 26 occurrence when they failed to deploy landing gear of their Boeing 767/300 while landing in Sydney after a flight from... more
IndustryThe Alenia Aermacchi M-346 "Master" makes its 1,000th flight
Venegono, Italy - The flight was made by the third prototype
"The new M-346 'Master' advanced trainer designed by Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, has reached the symbolic 1,000-flight milestone. The flight was made by the third prototype, representative... more
Civil aviationSITA: "Airport IT Trends Survey 2009". One airport out two predicts major investments in IT next year
Rome, Italy - The survey co-sponsored by Airline Business and the Airports Council International (ACI)
"Most of the world's leading airport operators (80%) intend to make passenger self-service the primary channel for check-in, according to a new global survey launched yesterday. And 52% rated the introduction... more
IndustryBAE Systems to produce new parachutes for the US Army
Phoenix, USA - Under a contract worth US$8.7 million
BAE Systems received an US$8.7 million contract from the US Army to produce new T-11 parachutes within a US$220 million program to phase out existing T-10 parachutes. BAE Systems is one of three companies... more
SecurityFAA AD on Hartzell Propeller Inc. ()HC-()2Y(K,R)- () series propellers (2009-22-03)
Washington, Usa - To prevent failure of the propeller hub causing blade separation and subsequent loss of airplane control
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: (Volume 74, Number 206)] [Page 55130-55135] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more