AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,323 news found
AirlinesFinnair CEO resigned
Vantaa, Finland - The carrier reported strong losses in second quarter of 2009
Jukka Hienonen, Finnair CEO, resigned today following strong losses recorded by the carrier in the second quarter of 2009: €32,5 million. In the same period last year the Finnish airline had reported a... more
IndustryAirbus completes second A350 XWB test barrel (all CFRP)
Toulouse, France - It measures 18 metres in length and more than six metres in diameter
"This second-generation of CFRP fuselage demonstrator was designed to be very close to the final design of the A-350XWB fuselage as it will be used for certification of design principles and sizing methods... more
HelicoptersForest police S-64 helicopter grounded in Italy due to structural damages
Cagliari, Italy - New problems for an Erickson Aircrane
Reliable sources told AVIONEWS that an S-64E Erickson Aircrane would have been grounded in Sardinia due to the presence of cracks on the main rotor head scissor hinge. The aircraft, used in the region... more
AerospaceTelespazio signed a contract for satellite communications services
Rome, Italy - For a worth around 30 million euro with Poland
"Ministry of Defense of Poland and Telespazio – a Finmeccanica/Thales company – has signed in Warsaw a contract, worth around 30 million euro for a duration of more than 10 years, to provide Italian Sic... more
Fair and showsAir shows and exhibitions in the third week in August
Rome, Italy - From Monday 17 to Sunday 23
Monday 17 - "The Flatland Cup, Gliding Championship". Szeged, Hungary. + 36 62 541 670 http://events.fai.org www.flatlandcup.hu/2009 - "34th CISM World Military Parachuting Championship". Lucenec,... more
ReportTaliban leader likely killed in US drone attack
Makeen, Pakistan - Head of Pakistani rebels
Pakistani Taliban leader, Baitullah Mehsud, might have been killed together with his wife in an attack performed by an American drone in Makeen, south-Waziristan region, Islamabad's interiors minister... more
Civil aviationEUROCONTROL: guidelines for the potential impact of windfarms on air surveillance systems
Brussels, Belgium - The consultation period will be open until the end of next January
"EUROCONTROL (European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation) has developed draft guidelines on how to assess and mitigate the effects of windfarms on the performance of a range of surveillance... more
SecurityFAA announces new regulation on pilots' fatigue
Washington, USA - Babbitt: "We cannot regulate professionalism"
Randolph Babbitt, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) administrator, announced in a speech in front of ALPA (Airline Pilots Association) new rules concerning the problem of pilots' fatigue. "We will... more
AirlinesUS$ 1 billion loss for Japan Airlines
Tokyo, Japan - In the second quarter of 2009
Record loss announced today by Japan Airlines (JAL) for the second quarter of 2009. The negative result in fact has been of US$1 billion (99 billion Yen), more than the total loss for the entire year 2008.... more
AirlinesEgyptAir changes B-777 order with B-737
Seattle, USA - To enhance operations on its Cairo hub
EgyptAir has converted a previous order for two Boeing 777 aircraft into an order for an additional eight Next-Generation 737/800s. The airline currently has seven 737/800s in operation and it is taking... more
AirlinesContinental Airlines begins new non-stop service from Honolulu and Guam to Nadi, Fiji
Houston, Usa - Beginning December 18, 2009
"Continental Airlines announced new service from its Guam hub and Honolulu to Nadi, Fiji beginning Dec. 18, 2009. The flights will also offer convenient connections from the U.S. mainland, Japan and Continental's... more
AirportsAeroporti di Roma: board approves results of first semester 2009
Rome, Italy - Results influenced by drop in traffic volume
"The Board of Directors of Aeroporti di Roma SpA, chaired by dott. Fabrizio Palenzona, examined ADR Group consolidated results at the end of the first semester of 2009. In the first six months of the... more
AirlinesAmerican airlines: fewer seats sold in July, but fuller aircraft
Washington, USA - Apart from JetBlue, load factor increased for all carriers
Despite they sold fewer seats, American airlines managed to fly fuller planes in the last month of July. This due to capacity reduction policies carried out by the airlines, apart from JetBlue, in recent... more
IndustryNorthrop Grumman selects Moog to provide systems for fatigue tests on aircraft
Amsterdam, The Netherlands - An order for a 160 channel test controller
"Moog’s Industrial Group, a division of Moog Inc. announced that Northrop Grumman Corporation has placed an order for a 160-channel test controller system to perform full-scale fatigue testing on the E... more
Fair and showsAir shows and exhibitions in the second week in August
Rome, Italy - From Monday 10 to Sunday 16
Monday 10 - "2009 XC-Open Paragliding World Series". Sopot, Bulgaria. + 359 3134 4251 http://events.fai.org www.xc-open.org - "The Flatland Cup, Gliding Championship". Szeged, Hungary. + 36 62 541... more
AccidentsSwedish Gripen caught fire on landing. Pilot safe
Kallinge, Sweden - Likely the gear didn't extend
A Swedish Air Force Saab JAS-39 Gripen caught fire today on the runway of Kallinge airport, in Sweden, after landing. The fire burst on contact of the gear with the ground. Luckily the pilot managed to... more
CuriositiesAirbus: keep the kids busy learning about biodiversity
Toulouse, France - The industry launches a photo contest
"You don't have to go far to begin exploring nature. A variety of plant and animal life is right outside your front door, if you look closely. The 'See the Bigger Picture' photo contest encourages children... more
UAS-DronesGlobal Hawk UAS reaches 25,000 combat hours
San Diego, USA - Used in 1,229 warfare missions and for disaster relief
Northrop Grumman Corporation's RQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has reached 25,000 combat hours during an operational sortie last month from an undisclosed location. This... more
AirlinesCathay Pacific back to profit, but cuts business class
Hong Kong, China - The Asian carrier is studying new strategies for its business
Cathay Pacific airline announced that it reported a US$105 million thanks to savings due to fuel-hedging contracts, even if its revenues fell by 27% compared to last year. The saving obtained thanks to... more
ReportAlinghi's catamaran to arrive in Genoa by helicopter
Genoa, Italy - The journey will be performed by a Mil Mi-26T helicopter, the biggest in the world
Alinghi, America's Cup holder team, will transport tomorrow its catamaran from Le Bouveret, Switzerland, to Genoa, Italy. For the transport will be used a Mil Mi-26T helicopter, the biggest in the world,... more
IndustryAlenia Aeronautica: the first unit of G-222 made its maiden flight to Afghanistan
Naples, Italy - It has taken place at Naples-Capodichino's airport
"Alenia North America, subsidiary controlled by Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica Group), has announced that the maiden flight of the first of 18 G-222 transport airplanes, refurbished to equip the Afghanistan... more
AccidentsSikorsky S-64E Skycrane hit by a lightning: 4 injured
McCall, USA - The aircraft was on the ground. An inquiry has been opened
A Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane helicopter has been hit by a lightning in McCall, Idaho, USA, that injured four people, while the helicopter was on the ground. This kind of aircraft, also known as Erickson Aircrane,... more
Military aviationDelivered to USAF B-52 bomber with CONECT Technology
Edwards AFB , USA - It will allow the aircraft to link to the Air Force's digital network
Boeing announced today that it delivered to the US Air Force (USAF) a B-52 Stratofortress upgraded with Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT), a modification that equips the B-52 with 21st... more
AirportsAutogrill: the Board of Directors examines the figures for 2nd quarter and 1st half 2009
Milan, Italy - Margins increase in 2nd quarter 2009 and net cash flow generation of €260.4m
Autogrill has unveiled the figures regarding the 2Q and the first half year 2009. "• Consolidated revenues: €1,441.8m, –0.8% vs. €1,453.6m in 2nd quarter 2008 (–5.7% proforma). • Consolidated Ebitda: €16... more
SecurityMan hit by piece of aircraft in the USA
Dearborn, USA - Likely a part of the landing gear cover
A 41-year-old man, Wissam Beydoun, has been hit on the shoulder by a piece of aircraft while he was out of his house in Dearborn, Michigan, discussing with his wife. The fallen part likely belongs to a... more
AirlinesAir Malta launched mobile phone check-in service
Luqa, Malta - For flights departing from Luqa airport
Air Malta has launched a mobile phone check-in service for all passengers departing from Malta International Airport of Luqa. From 23 to 2 hours before departure time, it will be possible to access the... more
AirportsItalian ANSV opens inquiry on "Runway incursion" in Parma
Parma, Italy - Collision skimmed on July 31 between a Ryanair aircraft and a car at "Verdi" airport
A second investigation on Parma's "Giuseppe Verdi" airport safety measures have been opened by the ANSV (Italian Air Safety Board) concerning a skimmed collision on Friday, July 31, between a Ryanair aircraft... more
IndustryAlenia: Afghanistan G-222 Programme
Rome, Italy - History and features
"Alenia Aeronautica, through its American subsidiary Alenia North America, will provide the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan with eighteen refurbished G-222 medium tactical transport... more
ReportBlind woman misses Ryanair flight due to queues for baggage-dropping
Swindon, UK - The carrier: "She was late, all the other passangers made the flight"
"It wasn’t an experience I will ever repeat, I will never fly with them again". This has been the comment made by Claire Randall, a blind woman from Swindon, UK, who had to renounce on Friday to reach P... more
ReportOn August 6, 1945, Hiroshima was hit by an atomic bomb
Rome, Italy - From that day the world has never been the same
On August 6, 1945, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress from the 393rd bomber squadron of the US Air Force, named "Enola Gay" after colonel Paul Tibbet's, pilot of the aircraft, mother, took off from Tinian base... more
OccurrencesEmergency landing at Naples-Capodichino, airport closed
Naples, Italy - A Piper touched the ground without the gear. Nobody was injured
Emergency procedures activated and airport closed this morning at Naples-Capodichino, Italy, after a civil tourism airport, probably a Piper, registered to the US Navy base, landed without the gear while... more
SecurityFAA (Revision) AD on SOCATA model TBM-700 airplanes (2007-03-17R1)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: August 5, 2009 [Page 38903-38905] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
AirlinesCode-share agreement between US Airways and ANA
Tempe, USA - If approved it will be operating starting September 16
Starting on next September 16 American US Airways and Japanese ANA (All Nippon Airways) airlines might launch a code share agreement that, if approved by regulators in both countries, would bring passengers... more
SecurityFAA AD on Boeing model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 series airplanes (2009-16-14)
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct fatigue cracking of the intercostals on the forward and aft sides of the forward entry door, which could result in loss of the forward entry door and rapid decompression of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: August 5, 2009 [Page 38901-38903] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
SecurityFAA AD on Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO- 520, TSIO-520, and IO-550 Series Reciprocating Engines With Superior Air Parts, Inc. (SAP) Cylinder Assemblies Installed (2009-16-03)
Washington, Usa - To prevent the separation of the cylinder head, which could result in immediate loss of engine power, possible structural damage to the engine, and possible fire in the engine compartment
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: August 5, 2009 [Page 38896-38899] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
AccidentsPilot killed in fighter jet accident in Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan - No damage to people or property on the ground
A Chinese-built Pakistani Air Force (PAF) Chengdu FT-7 fighter jet crashed during a training mission near Attock city, in the eastern province of Punjab. The pilot of the aircraft, lieutenant Shahryar... more
HelicoptersENAC completes tests for the first helicopter IFR route In Italy
Cascina Costa, Italy - With an AW-139 helicopter
"AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced that the ENAC (Ente nazionale aviazione civile – Italian Civil Aviation Authority) has successfully completed on July 28th the first stage of qualification a... more
AirportsNaples-Capodichino's airport: the traffic forecast from August 7-23, 2009 with 330,000 passengers predicted
Naples, Italy - Traffic recorded 562,000 passengers in July
"330,000 passengers in transit (between arrivals and departures) will be at Naples' airport, from August 7 to 23: 120,000 domestic, 135,000 international and 75,000 charter. The day with the major traffic... more
OccurrencesWind Jet to AVIONEWS: "We ask more effective systems to chase birds away"
Rome, Italy - Statements by Massimo Polimeni, marketing director of the airline
AVIONEWS has interviewed Massimo Polimeni, Wind Jet's marketing director, about the bird-strike occurred Saturday at Parma's "Giuseppe Verdi" airport and for which the carrier has announced that it would... more
OccurrencesAVIONEWS interviewed Massimo Polimeni, Wind Jet's marketing director
Rome, Italy - Concerning Saturday's bird-strike at Parma airport
Massimo Polimeni, Wind Jet's marketing director, talked to AVIONEWS about the bird-strike, that Saturday involved one of the carrier's Airbus A-320/200s at "Giuseppe Verdi" airport of Parma, and about... more
SecurityFAA AD on Fokker model F.27 Mark 050 airplanes (2009-16-05)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: August 5, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 149) [Page 38910-38912] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation... more
AccidentsThailand, Koh Samui airport reopened after accident
Koh Samui, Thailand - The co-pilot is in critical conditions
Koh Samui airport has been reopened after being closed due to Tuesday's accident occurred to a Bangkok Airways ATR-72/500 aircraft while landing on the tourist island after its journey from Krabi, Thailand.... more
AirlinesFinancial results of the Austrian Airlines Group for the first half-year 2009
Vienna, Austria - Economic crisis affects revenue and earnings
"The crisis in the international aviation industry intensified further in the second quarter of 2009. This development is also reflected in the financial figures of the Austrian Airlines Group for the... more
AerospaceOpportunity rover photographed a possible meteorite on Mars's surface
Rome, Italy - NASA scientists will study its chemical composition
NASA's Opportunity rover on last July 28 has photographed an odd-shaped, dark rock on Mars's surface. About 60 cm wide, this object might be a meteorite and has been dubbed "Block Island". Having spotted... more
OccurrencesVueling on this morning's engine fire at Paris-Orly
Paris, France - A back-up aircraft has already taken off towards Alicante
Concerning this morning occurrence at Paris-Orly airport, when the engine of a Vueling Airbus A-320/200 caught fire during push-back operations before its take off towards Alicante (flight VY9127, registration... more
ReportThe UK might change short-haul flights with trains
London, UK - For environmental reasons and to make links between London and Scotland easier
London government is thinking to replace short-haul flights with high-speed trains and plans for a similar solutions would already be in a very advanced state, the newspaper "The Guardian" reported today... more
IndustryEADS opened a subsidiary in Japan
Tokyo, Japan - It will strengthen industrial partnerships of the consortium in the country
The European consortium EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, formed by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, Aérospatiale-Matra of France and Construcciones Aeronáuticas of Spain) has o... more
Military aviationFinnish Air Force F-18 training systems upgraded
St. Louis, USA - Pilots will be allowed to perform network flight simulations
Boeing today announced that it has delivered upgrades for three F-18 Weapons Tactics and Situational Awareness Training Systems (WTSAT) to the Finnish Air Force. The aircrew trainers now offer the capability... more
ReportTwo American journalists charged in North Korea will come back
Pyongyang, North Korea - Bill Clinton's mission has been successful
Two American journalists arrested in mid-March in North Korea, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, and charged for espionage to 12 years of labour camp (see AVIONEWS), might come back to the USA already today, together... more
AirportsItaly, tension in Palermo: ex-Ciclat employees occupied GESAP offices
Palermo, Italy - The workers threatened a collective hunger strike
Tension this morning at Palermo's "Falcone e Borsellino" airport, Italy, where about ten workers ex-employees of Ciclat, company that used to manage luggage-trolley services, occupied GESAP (Palermo airport... more