AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,635 news found
AerospaceGround broken for the first touristic spaceport in the world
New Mexico, USA - It will be built in New Mexico and will host Virgin Galactic
Works to build Spaceport America, the first touristic space base in the world, have officially started in New Mexico. The event opens new perspectives towards the next frontier in space exploration as,... more
SecurityFAA AD on Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH models Dornier 228-100, 228-101, 228-200, 228-201, 228-202, and 228-212 airplanes (2009-13-04)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 29116-29118] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
DefenseThe USA can continue to use Manas base
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - The decision by Kyrgyzstan's parliament
After having decided to close it in February (see AVIONEWS), Kyrgyzstan's parliament reached yesterday an agreement to instead let the USA use Manas base as transit center for non military material destined... more
Civil aviationIATA, passenger decline stabilizes
Geneva, Switzerland - Freight traffic slow down its loss
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced international scheduled traffic results for May showing passenger demand declining 9.3% compared to the same month in previous year while freight... more
AerospaceCassini finding hints at Ocean within Saturn’s moon Enceladus
Rome, Italy - The analysis detect the last data sent by Cassini's drill and Earth's observations of the great Planet's satellite
"European scientists on the joint NASA/ESA Cassini mission have detected, for the first time, sodium salts in ice grains of Saturn’s E-ring, which is primarily replenished by material from the plumes o... more
Tilt-rotorsWhat future for the V-22 Osprey?
Washington, USA - Discussions in the USA on the real effectiveness of this tilt-rotor
The V-22 Osprey, military tilt-rotor built by Boeing and Bell, might see its operational life interrupted after a report issued by the GAO (Government Accountability Office), according to which not only... more
Civil aviationAlso a Piaggio P-180 in Susi Air's fleet
Rome, Italy - The Indonesian regional carrier
Besides the orders for new helicopters and aircraft, in particular built by AgustaWestland (see AVIONEWS), placed in the last weeks, the Indonesian private airline Susi Air is going to expand its fleet... more
IndustryLockheed Martin awarded USAF's GBS satellite transmission contract
Gaithersburg, USA - The new architecture will broadcast content to the warfighters worldwide
Lockheed Martin has been awarded the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) Satellite Broadcast Management (SBM) Defense Enterprise Computing Center (DECC) transition contract by the US Air Force’s Electronic S... more
SecurityFAA AD on Airbus model A-300 airplanes; model A-300B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-622, B4-605R, B4-622R, F4-605R, F4-622R, and C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and A-310 airplanes (2009-12-02)
Washington, Usa - To prevent consequent failure of the RAT yoke fitting, which could result in the loss of RAT function and possible loss of critical flight control systems in the event of certain emergency situations
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 29112-29116] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
Military aviationIsraeli F-16 fighters practise shooting down UAVs
Tel Aviv, Israel - High concern about this kind of intrusions
The Israeli Air Force is carrying on a series of exercises to develop its capability to shoot down unmanned air vehicles (UAV) that might be launched in the Jewish country's airspace by guerrilla, such... more
DefenseRussia to produce another "Admiral Gorshkov" class frigate
St. Petersburg, Russia - The announcement at the "Mvms-Imds 2009" fair
Russia will start production of a second "Admiral Gorshkov" class frigate in St. Petersburg, the "RIA Novosti" press agency quoted admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, Russian navy commander, as saying during the... more
Civil aviationANA concerned by new delays in the 787 programme
Tokyo, Japan - The Japanese carrier urges for clarity as soon as possible
After the new delay of the first flight of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner (see AVIONEWS), the project's launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) reacted with disappointment and concern. In a statement the... more
Military aviationScramble order for two Italian Eurofighters to intercept Nigerian aircraft
Grosseto, Italy - The Gulfstream IV escorted out of the national borders
At 4:50 am local time two Eurofighter aircraft of the Italian Air Force 4th Wing of Grosseto took off to intercept a Nigerian military airplane - a Nigerian Air Force Gulfstream IV - that was flying from... more
MiscellaneousTechnical issues with the English version of the site
Rome, Italy - Due to a server failure
The editorial staff of AVIONEWS warns its readers that due to technical issues concerning the servers of the English version of the agency (www.avionews.com), the news will be only published in Italian.... more
OccurrencesSpanish prime minister Zapatero's aircraft fails two take offs in Togo
Lomé, Togo - A swarm of flies would have blocked the speed sensors
A curious incident happened yesterday to Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, returning from his visit in Nigeria and Togo. The pilot of the Dassault Falcon 900 on which he was flying has... more
DefenseNew Aegis missile defense system installed on USS Lake Erie
Moorestown, USA - US Navy certification is waited for 2011
Lockheed Martin has completed the installation of the latest evolution of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System, which includes a new ballistic missile defense signal processor, Aegis BSP, on... more
IndustryGeneral Dynamics will supply radomes for US Navy's aircraft
Charlotte, USA - With a potential contract of $10 million
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a contract by the US Navy for the refurbishment of radomes (structural, weatherproof enclosure that... more
Press releaseItalian ENAC: Schengen treaty temporarily suspended during the G8
Rome, Italy - Italian customs and airport authorities will perform documents' controls
The Italian civil aviation authority (ENAC) announced that, during the G8 summit that will take place in L'Aquila from July 8 to 10, 2009, the ministry of interiors decided to temporarily suspend the Schengen... more
Military aviationItalian Air Force's 4th Wing of Grosseto certified "Quick Response Force" by NATO
Grosseto, Italy - After the evaluation of the flight squadron's operational readiness
Italian Air Force's 4th Wing of Grosseto has achieved NATO's "Quick Response Force" certification following a period of evaluation lasted from June 10 to 19. Aim of the operation was to certify the Wing's... more
AerospaceNASA: LCROSS completes swing-by maneuver
Cape Canaveral, USA - Search for water on the moon is ready to start
NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) successfully completed its most significant early mission milestone with a lunar swing-by and calibration of its science instruments. The... more
IndustryEmbraer holds 40th anniversary commemorate activities
São José dos Campos, Brazil - Initiatives focus on all who have participated in the Company’s history
"As a part of the program remembering the 40 years since its founding, on August 19, 1969, Embraer has been following through on a series of activities for employees and their families, as well as for... more
ReportItalian transport minister, Matteoli, delays strikes scheduled for June 26
Rome, Italy - Another deferral for unions' protests
The Italian minister of transports and infrastructures, Altero Matteoli, decided to delay the strikes in air transport scheduled for next Friday, June 26. In particular, the FILT-CGIL union had announced... more
AirportsTurin-Caselle airport reopened
Turin, Italy - Closed yesterday due to a damaged area of the runway
After being closed yesterday afternoon due to maintenance works on the runway (see AVIONEWS), Turin-Caselle airport has been reopened this morning at 5:50 am local time. The damage to the runway consisted... more
AirlinesRepublic Airways takes over Midwest Airlines
Oak Creek, USA - For $6 million plus $25 million in shares
Republic Airways announced the purchase of Midwest Airlines from private equity group TPG Capital. The deal is worth $31 million: $6 million cash and $25 million in stocks at $10 per share, plus the right... more
HelicoptersLevel IV UAS connectivity reached for AH-64D Apache Block III helicopters
Mesa, USA - A key technology in the development of the programme
The crew of a Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III prototype helicopter has successfully demonstrated Level IV Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) connectivity, controlling the operations of a drone during a flight... more
IndustryDMGS receives flight certification on the A-400M
Paris, France - Produced by EADS Defense and Security
The Digital Map Generator System (DMGS) from EADS Defence and Security (DS) has been certified for use on board the A-400M military transport aircraft. Approval for use in flight was granted as part of... more
Military aviationA-400M: governments grant only one more month
Sevilla, Spain - France and Germany's mediation failed for six further months
France and Germany's mediation to grant Airbus, subsidiary of the EADS consortium, further six months to renegotiate the terms of the contract for the military A-400M airlifter (see AVIONEWS) has failed.... more
AccidentsAmerican F-16 crash: pilot killed
Ashville, USA - During a training mission
The pilot of an American F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter of Hill Air Force Base's 388th Wing, Utah, has been killed yesterday in the crash of his aircraft during a training mission. Initially the man, 28-year-old... more
SecurityFAA AD on Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation model S- 92A helicopters (2009-13-01)
Washington, Usa - To prevent the failure, which could result in rapid loss of oil, failure of the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 28439-28441] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
SecurityFAA AD on ATR model ATR-42/500 and ATR-72/212A airplanes (2009-12-12)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 27911-27913] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
SecurityFAA AD on Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica ltda. model AMT-200 and AMT-300 series gliders (2009-12-14)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 27917-27919] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
CargoTwo international cargo flights took off from Bergamo-Orio al Serio
Bergamo, Italy - In the last two days the airport has seen operate two B-747 airplanes
"The general economic situation reflects from some months on the cargo sector, that has recorded a decrease with a reduced quantities of shipments. The Orio al Serio, also in this environment, has begun... more
DefenseEdition 2009 of the "MVMS-IMDS" navies' fair in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Russia - From June 24 to 28
The international navies' fair "MVMS-IMDS 2009" will take place in St. Petersburg starting tomorrow, June 24, and will host 55 official delegations coming from 47 nations, the organization's press office... more
AirportsTurin-Casablanca served by RAM: an odyssey for 140 passengers
Turin, Italy - 18 hour delay
140 passengers of a Royal Air Maroc (RAM) flight have had to wait, last Sunday June 12, well 18 hours before to take off for their destination. Their nightmare has begun last Saturday when a strong... more
AccidentsTwo firefighters die in Spanish helicopter crash
Mollet del Valles, Spain - During a firefighting mission in the north-east of the country
Pilot and co-pilot of an Taf Helicópteros-operated Eurocopter AS-350B3 Ecureuil firefighting helicopter died yesterday in the accident that occurred to their aircraft near Mollet del Valles (Barcelona),... more
AirportsTurin airport temporarily closed
Rome, Italy - Due to an extraordinary maintenance intervention on a section of runway
SAGAT, Turin airport's operator, issued this afternoon this short note: "Turin airport is momentarily closed due to an extraordinary maintenance intervention on a limited area of the runway. Traffic... more
CuriositiesAmerican carriers flunked in comfort
Boston, USA - According to the results of a survey carried out by SeatGuru
According to the results of a survey carried out by SeatGuru between more than 1,600 travellers, the American airlines resulted among the worst for flight comfort: not only they serve the worst meals,... more
AirlinesFirst time for a B-767/300ER airplane of Blue Panorama in Turin-Caselle's airport
Turin, Italy - The airline has employed this model last Sunday
Blue Panorama has used, last Sunday on Turin-Caselle's airport, a wide-body B-767/300ER airplane. The great model with blue nose has been utilized for the first flight by a Summer charter chain that links... more
Civil aviation"A smile for Cernobyl": Belarus-Cuneo, the solidarity route, comes back
Cuneo, Italy - The initiative from next June 25
Cuneo's airport will start again the solidarity initiative that links Belarus to Piedmont from June 25; has been in fact organized a charter flights' chain, coming from Minsk and served by Belavia airline,... more
Civil aviation787 Dreamliner's first flight delayed
Everett, USA - Boeing title goes down in Wall Street
After being announced for the month of June (see AVIONEWS), the first flight of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner aircraft has been postponed, the manufacturer announced today, explaining that this is due to a need... more
AirlinesShareholders declare Aeroflot Cargo's bankruptcy
Moscow, Russia - Also Aeroflot Don and Aeroflot Nord are risking
Aeroflot's shareholders decided to declare the bankruptcy of Aeroflot Cargo, freighter branch of the Russian national carrier, with a decision that Aeroflot's CEO, Alexander Lebedev, defined "Obvious",... more
AccidentsAmerican military helicopter crash: 1 dead and 1 injured
Fort Rucker, USA - During a training mission
A Bell TH-67 Creek helicopter of the US army crashed yesterday near Fort Rucker base from where it had taken off. Of the two crewmembers one was killed in the impact, while the other one reported serious... more
Military aviationNo US Global Hawk aircraft in the Italian Sigonella's base
Sigonella, Italy - Confirmed optimal capabilities of the 41st Wing to support future NATO's activities
"Following to the recent journalistic reports and press articles, realized by national and local newspapers about the eventual US presence of Global Hawk aircraft on Sigonella (Catania) base, it is specified... more
AerospaceLRO reaches lunar orbit
Cape Canaveral, USA - It will seek for suitable places for future landings
After successfully performing an engine start, the LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) spacecraft reached its lunar orbit this morning at 6:30 am EDT. It will now start its primary mission, that is mapping... more
Sport aviationItalian FIVL. Paragliding: the sport activity continues, after "World Air Games"
Turin, Italy - And now the "Paragliding World Cup"
"Pierandrea Patrucco, from Piedmont and Marco Zonca, from Friuli, have taken off in the last days from Montecarlo with the intention to accomplish a bivouacking flight by paragliding of 1111 km along the... more
AirportsPhoenix airport, military and veterans hospitality room sees spike in guests
Phoenix, Usa - The average of visits grew from 500 to almost 900
The Military & Veterans Hospitality Room at Phoenix airport is recording an increase of guests. It is an area where military members, veterans and their families can have their own private space to... more
Civil aviationAirbus delivers the first China-assembled A-320 aircraft
Tianjin, China - To Dragon Aviation Leasing company
Following recent announcements and about one month after its first flight (see AVIONEWS 1 and 2), Airbus today finally delivered the first A-320 aircraft assembled in China. At a grand ceremony, the aircraft... more
Civil aviationStar Alliance, the first alliance to operate from Terminal 1 of "El Prat" in Barcelona
Milan, Italy - This has now laid the foundation for future expansion of SA in Spain
"All 14 Star Alliance member carriers serving Barcelona have moved to the new Terminal 1 at 'El Prat' Airport: Adria Airways, Austrian, Blue1, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa,... more
IndustryCessna: first Medevac Sovereign airplane to Egypt's Smart Aviation
Wichita, Usa - The first of two models that are part of a six-aircraft order
"Cessna Aircraft Company announced yesterday Egypt's Smart Aviation will take delivery this year of the first two Citation Sovereigns certified for medical evacuation (medevac) with a dual-patient system... more
Military aviationUAE-Dassault: Rafale deal by the end of the year?
Paris, France - Moderate trust expressed by the French manufacturer
After receiving the technical and operational requirements for the Rafale by the United Arab Emirates (UAE, see AVIONEWS), French manufacturer Dassault expressed its trust in the possibility to reach an... more