AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,317 news found
AirlinesRome-Fiumicino, Alitalia managers to work at ground services
Rome, Italy - The initiative wanted by CEO Rocco Sabelli
Alitalia asked its managers to offer their voluntary support to ground services at Rome-Fiumicino airport, to help employees to face the peak of arrivals foreseen for this weekend due to summer vacation... more
IndustryUS$2.3 billion Russian contract for Hamilton Sundstrand
Moscow, Russia - With the manufacturer Irkut, for MC-21 family aircraft
Hamilton Sundstrand (HS), American company, subsidiray of United Technologies, that realizes technological products for aviation, has been granted by the Russian manufacturer Irkut a contract for the supply... more
Civil aviationChina to open low-altitude airspace
Xi'an, China - To match the growing demand in the general aviation sector
Chinese civil aviation regulators approved the opening of a space for general aviation in Xi'an, in the northwestern Shaanxi province. The park will be placed between an airport and more than five scenic... more
AirlinesOmni Air purchased two aircraft from old Alitalia
Rome, Italy - They were not part of the new carrier's plans
Omni Air International, charter airline based in Tulsa, USA, has bought two Boeing 767/300ER aircraft (Italian tail numbers I-DEIF and I-DEIL) belonging to old Alitalia, sold by the extraordinary administration... more
AccidentsTwo injured in Teterboro aircraft crash, New York
New York, USA - The accident occurred during landing operations
The pilot and passenger of a small airplane, a Beechcraft Baron 58 (tail number N167TB), that crashed today while landing at Teterboro airport, New York, have been injured. Both have been hospitalized... more
IndustryRussia to supply engines for Indian MiG fighter jets
Moscow, Russia - The deal with Hindustan Aeronautics signed today at "MAKS 2009"
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has signed today a contract with Rosoboronexport (the Russian company that manages military exports) for the supply to India of 23 RD-33 series 3 turbofan engines for New Delhi's... more
AirportsFrankfurt airport expansion plan approved
Frankfurt, Germany - The fourth runway will be built within 2011
The Hesse Adminstrative High Court today approved Frankfurt airport € 4 billion expansion plan, as reported by Fraport AG (the airport operator). "This is a great day for the German air transportation i... more
Military aviationIn flight tests for the high-energy ABL laser system
Edwards AFB, USA - Moving towards a ballistic missile shoot-down demonstration
The high-energy laser aboard the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft has been fired in flight for the first time, moving closer toward this system's upcoming missile shoot-down demonstration. During this... more
CargoJAL to merge with Nippon Yusen for cargo services
Tokyo, Japan - To restructure their freight transport sectors
Japan Airlines (JAL) and Nippon Yusen might reach an agreement to merge their cargo transport services, respectively Japan Airlines International (JALI) e Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA). Freight traffic has... more
ReportItalian consumers' association: too many inefficiencies in air transport
Rome, Italy - The request for a meeting with the ministers of tourism and transport
EUROCONTROL's recent report that placed Italy at the bottom of the flight punctuality ranking (see AVIONEWS) has provoked the reaction of the Italian consumers' association Adiconsum that lamented too... more
AirlinesItalian tourists "Soaked" again in the Caribbean Sea
Rome, Italy - It seems that they either have short memory or "Never... kick the habit"
At least three (according to information available so far) Italian tourists were among the eight passengers of the BN-2A “Islander”, a small twin-engine aircraft with Venezuelan tail number YV-212T, whi... more
Military aviationSix C-27J Spartans for Taiwan Air Force?
Taipei, Taiwan - The deal might concretize already next year
Taiwan Air Force might buy six Alenia C-27J Spartan aircraft with a deal that might concretize already next year. According to industrial sources quoted by "Flight International", the decision would have... more
AccidentsSearches interrupted for flight AF447's black boxes
Paris, France - BEA: "The search has not been able to locate the wreck of the plane"
Searches have been interrupted for the black boxes of Air France's Airbus A-330/200 aircraft, flight AF447, that ditched in the Atlantic on June 1 while en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris with 228 people... more
AccidentsNew York accident, flight controller was jocking on the phone
New York, USA - The transcript of the call: "Fire up the cat on the grill"
The flight controller of Teterboro control tower was jocking on the phone with a woman at the moment of the air collision, between an helicopter and a small airplane (of which he would have had to follow... more
Civil aviationATA reported slump in demand in July 2009
Washington, USA - Passenger traffic down 21%
Passenger revenue based on US airlines fell 21% in July 2009 versus the same month in 2008. The result has been issued by the Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the industry trade organization... more
AirlinesAir France-KLM retires from the tender for CSA Czech Airlines
Prague, Czech Republic - But the race goes on with a single bidder
Air France-KLM has retired from the tender process for the privatization of Czech Airlines (CSA), informing the Czech ministry of finance of its decision. The carrier added that it wishes to further strengthen... more
Military aviationRussia delivers first A-50 AWACS to India
Moscow, Russia - The announcement during the "MAKS 2009" air show
Foreign sales of Russian combat aircraft announced or signed during the "MAKS 2009" air show, underway at Zhukovsky airport, near Moscow, until Sunday August 23, continue. Alexander Mikheyev, deputy director... more
AirlinesJet Republic, luxury airline, closed
Rome, Italy - In 2008 it had placed an order for 110 Bombardier Learjet 60XR aircraft
Jet Republic, European airline specialized in luxury jet flights, has abruptly announced its closure, after yesterday's decision of the shareholders to withdraw their capitals. The carrier had placed in... more
Fair and showsAgreement between ESA and Roscosmos signed at "MAKS 2009"
Moscow, Russia - For the activities in support of Certain Space Exploration programmes
ESA (European Space Agency) joins other major space and aviation players at the 9th International Aviation and Space Salon, "MAKS 2009", underway at Zhukovsky airport near Moscow this week, until August... more
ReportLockerbie bomber al-Megrahi released by Scotland
Rome, Italy - Hard reaction from the United States
Scotland has freed today Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, former Libyan intelligence agent condemned to life-imprisonment for the Lockerbie terrorist attack, when a bomb exploded on a Boeing 747/121 aircraft... more
AirportsVienna airport, slump in traffic and profits
Vienna, Austria - In the first six months of 2009
Flughafen Wien, Vienna airport operator, for the first six months of 2009 has reported a slump in revenue of 10.3% compared with the same period last year, with € 244.6 million. However, this data is l... more
Military aviationLockheed Martin begins RERP modifications for the C-5 Galaxy programme
Marietta, USA - 70 improvements and upgrades to airframe and aircraft systems
The first Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy strategic transport aircraft was inducted into the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) production line. The RERP modifications consist of more than... more
Military aviationEight Russian-made fighter jets for Vietnam
Moscow, Russia - Within a US$500 million contract signed in January
Russia is going to deliver eight Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter jets to Vietnam in 2010 within a contract signed in January, Alexander Mikheyev, Rosoboronexport (the state company that manages Russian military... more
AerospaceSpace shuttle Discovery ready for launch
Cape Canaveral, USA - Lift off scheduled for Tuesday, August 25
It is all ready at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, for the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery that will carry the crew of mission STS-128 towards the International Space Station (ISS).... more
AirlinesSpanair might replace MD aircraft with Airbus ones
Madrid, Spain - At the expiry of the current leasing contracts
The Spanish airline Spanair might replace 11 of its McDonnell Douglas aircraft with new ones from Airbus, starting from next year. The aim of the carrier is to have a fleet only made of airplanes built... more
AccidentsPilot killed in Italian glider crash
Bolzano, Italy - His wife is in very serious conditions
Alessandro Muzzarelli, 55-year-old pilot of a Grob G-103 Twin II Acro glider that crashed yesterday afternoon in northern Italy after flying over Rittner Horn, has been killed on impact. His wife, 37-year-old... more
AccidentsTwo killed in American military helicopter accident
Leadville, USA - One injured and one missing among the other two occupants of the aircraft
It is of two victims, one injured and one missing the toll of an accident occurred yesterday to a US Army Sikorsky MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a training mission on the mountains of Colorado. The... more
ReportRome: 14 drug smugglers arrested in Fiumicino
Rome, Italy - They were carrying 55 kg of cocaine in their luggage
The operation "New Orange" carried out by the Italian financial police at Rome-Fiumicino airport is over: it brought to the arrest of 14 people and to the seize of 55 kg of cocaine. The drug smugglers,... more
AirportsSolar panels for Denver airport
Denver, USA - For fuel storage and distribution facilities
Denver airport will ask City Council to approve the construction of a photovoltaic solar system that will power the airport’s fuel-storage and -distribution facility. The plant, capable to generate 1.6 m... more
AirportsDelays at Rome-Fiumicino, the airport: "It's Alitalia's fault"
Rome, Italy - But after summer things might be better
One day after EUROCONTROL's report that placed Rome-Fiumicino airport on top of delays' classification (see AVIONEWS), AdR (Airports of Rome) director general Franco Giudice stated that Alitalia is mainly... more
AirportsItaly: built in Ancona by ENAV the first European photovoltaic control tower
Ancona, Italy - It will grant economical benefits for € 28,000 per year
ENAV (Italian Flight Assistance Company) has realized the first control tower in Europe equipped with an important photovoltaic plant at Ancona-Falconara Marittima airport. This solar power system is capable... more
AirlinesQantas: profit fall but the carrier remains solid
Sydney , Australia - CEO: "Through unprecedented and significant shifts"
The crisis of air traffic has also hit the Australian airline Qantas. The carrier in fact reported a slump in profits for the fiscal year recently ended, which fell by 87% compared to the previous year.... more
Military aviation64 Sukhoi fighters for the Russian Air Force
Moscow, Russia - With a US$2.5 billion contract
As anticipated at the beginning of this week (see AVIONEWS), the Russian Air Force has signed a contract, during the "MAKS 2009" air show underway near Moscow until August 23, for a US$2.5 billion order... more
AirportsItalian airports push to increase fares
Rome, Italy - Currently the waiver only concerns those with more than 10 million yearly passengers
Italian airports have started a sort of race to be granted a so called "Waiver" that will allow those with more than 10 million yearly passengers in transit to apply higher fares than the fixed ones. But... more
HelicoptersPresidential helicopter, Finmeccanica is still trustful
Washington, USA - Final decision by the Congress expected in September
Despite president Obama's words inviting to avoid "Useless wastes" in times of crisis, including financing to continue the production of the VH-71 Kestrel presidential helicopter, built in cooperation... more
OccurrencesPriority landing for an Easy Jet aircraft at La Rochelle
La Rochelle, France - Passengers felt a strong burning smell in cabin
Moments of tension today for the passengers of an Easy Jet Airbus A-320/200, flight U2-8917 from London-Gatwick (UK) to Faro (Portugal) with 165 passengers and 6 crewmembers on board, when some travellers... more
AirportsA driverless taxi system at Heathrow airport
London, UK - Destination will be set directly on a touch screen
It's called ULTra Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), or Podcar, and is the last innovation concerning internal transports at London-Heathrow airport. A network of 4-seats driverless vehicles, cost US$41 million,... more
AirlinesAeroflot will be general partner of 2014 Winter Olympics
Zhukovsky, Russia - The announcement has been given today during the "MAKS 2009" air show
The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee announced today that Russia’s largest airline, Aeroflot, has been awarded general partner status for the 2014 Games in the Sochi 2014 passenger air transportation s... more
AirlinesAlitalia fined by ENAC for delays in luggage deliveries
Rome, Italy - Meanwhile departure delays continue at Rome-Fiumicino airport
Alitalia has been fined by ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) with three sanctions due to delays in the delivery of luggage at Rome-Fiumicino airport. The fines, of € 2,000 each, might grow as several r... more
Civil aviationAgreement between Superjet International and Armavia Airlines for after sales support
Zhukovsky, Russia - For a duration of at least 5 years
Superjet International (SJI), joint-venture between Alenia Aeronautica, Finmeccanica group, at 51% and Sukhoi Holding at 49%, announced today the execution of a letter of intent with the Armenian carrier... more
OccurrencesRome: piece of airplane falls on a house in Ciampino
Rome, Italy - The plug of a tank likely belonged to a military aircraft
A piece of aircraft that resulted being the plug of a tank (a dark green object with a diameter of about 10 cm) fell on Sunday on the roof of a house in Ciampino, near the airport, but the news has only... more
AirlinesDifficulties for Air Malta: one third of available seats unsold
Luqa, Malta - Passenger traffic down by 7.2% in the first six months of 2009
June data issued by the AEA (Association of European Airlines) confirmed the negative trend recorded by Air Malta already from the beginning of the year: one third of its available seats, in fact, have... more
Civil aviationSuperjet International signs MOU with Aeroplex for MRO services
Zhukovsky, Russia - For support to Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft
Superjet International (SJI), joint-venture between Alenia Aeronautica, Finmeccanica group, at 51% and Sukhoi Holding at 49%, announced today the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hungarian,... more
OccurrencesDozens of passengers on the ground for Skyeurope aircraft failure
Bergamo, Italy - People blocked in Prague and Bergamo
A Boeing 737 of Skyeurope that was waited yesterday evening in Prague, where it was expected to land from Bratislava to depart towards Bergamo-Orio al Serio (Italy), instead has been grounded in the Slovak... more
UAS-DronesItalian UAV Predator reaches 5,000 flight hours
Rome, Italy - In missions in Iraq and Afghanistan
The Italian Air Force (AMI) announced the historical target reached by the Task Group Astore (TGA), part of the Joint Air Task Force (JATF) commanded by colonel Giancarlo Maragucci, that has obtained in... more
AirlinesAmerican airlines sign deal for renewable fuels
Washington, USA - To be used at Los Angeles airport starting in 2012
Eight American airlines have signed a deal with Rentech and Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG) to purchase up to 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million litres) per year of renewable synthetic diesel... more
IndustryAgustaWestland acquired PZL-Swidnik
Rome, Italy - The Anglo-Italian company purchased 87.61% of the Polish firm
With a contract worth 329 million Polish Zlotych (€ 79 million) AgustaWestland (AW), subsidiary of Finmeccanica, yesterday acquired 87.61% of the Polish helicopter and aerostructure manufacturer PZL-Swidnik. W... more
AccidentsIranian air accident maybe caused by a bird strike
Tehran, Iran - Tehran's government ruled out the presence of explosives on board
The air accident occurred on July 15 to a Caspian Airlines Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft, in which 168 people were killed (see AVIONEWS), might have been caused by the ingestion of an object (likely a bird)... more
AirlinesRyanair cuts 9 routes on Manchester: 600 jobs at risk
Manchester, UK - But the airport defends its policies: "Our fares are not unreasonable"
Following a long-lasting dispute with Manchester airport authorities, the low-cost carrier Ryanair decided that it will cut or move 9 routes to and from the English city due to airport fares that it considers... more
AirportsLow-cost boom at Turin-Caselle, especially towards Trapani, Catania and Palermo
Rome, Italy - Windjet and Ryanair recorded load-factors over 90%
For the first ten days of August load data recorded by low-cost airlines departing from Turin-Caselle airport (Italy), especially Windjet and Ryanair, have been exceptional: load factors were of 98% for... more