AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,639 news found
Civil aviationIATA (2), "Many governments see airlines as a cash cow"
Geneva, Switzerland - Giovanni Bisignani stated
Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) spoke about the swine influenza, which could have a significant impact on air traffic. “Safety, as always, i... more
IndustryHéroux-Devtek will realize structural parts for the F-35
Longueuil, Canada - USD 41 million contract with Lockheed Martin
Progressive, aerospace division of Canadian Héroux-Devtek company, Arlington-based, in Texas, has been awarded a CAD 50 million contract (USD 41 million) by Lockheed Martin to produce, assembly and deliver... more
Civil aviationIATA, load factors drop as passenger demand falls
Geneva, Switzerland - Freight demand was relatively stable at -21.4% compared to March 2008
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today released March data for scheduled international traffic. Passenger demand fell to 11.1% below March 2008 levels. Airlines cut international passenger... more
AirlinesAlso Aer Lingus to review long-haul aircraft orders
Dublin, Ireland - Management changes after bad results in early 2009
Irish low-cost carrier Aer Lingus stated that orders for long-haul aircraft are going to be reviewed due to air traffic slump. Furthermore the airline announced changes in the management after the bad... more
DefenseRussia criticizes NATO exercises in Georgia
Moscow, Russia - Minister of foreign affairs Lavrov invites other countries to boycott them
Russian minister of foreign affairs Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed yesterday Moscow's criticism concerning the NATO exercises to be held in Georgia from May 6 to June 1, also inviting other Countries to boycott... more
Fair and showsRosoboronexport: its presence at "IDEF 2009"
Istanbul, Turkey - The 9th edition from April 27-30
"This April 27-30, Istanbul hosts the 9th International Defense Industry Fair, 'IDEF 2009'. It takes place under the auspices and with the support of the Ministry of National Defense of Turkey. Its immediate... more
DefenseSTART Treaty, talks between USA and Russia in May
Moscow, Russia - The agreement expires on December 5th, 2009
Russian and US officials will meet in Moscow next month for the first round of negotiations to replace a Cold War-era nuclear arms control treaty, the Russian foreign ministry said Monday. The two sides... more
AerospacePlanck and Herschel will be launched on May 14
Kourou, French Guiana - Completed controls on the Ariane 5 launcher
ESA (European Space Agency) and Arianespace announced today that controls on the Ariane 5 launcher, to verify the failure that caused the launch of the two twin satellites Planck and Herschel to be delayed... more
Military aviationRussia to conduct five tests of Bulava missile in 2009
Istanbul, Turkey - The statement by the deputy defense minister for procurement today during "IDEF 2009"
The Russian Navy will conduct at least five test launches of the new Bulava sea-based ballistic missile in 2009, the deputy defense minister for procurement said on Tuesday. Despite five failures in... more
AirlinesWind Jet: new international flight Forli-London
Catania, Italy - From July 2 twice per week
"Wind Jet raises on Forli. The links from new airline's hub to London-Luton will begin from July 2, with a twice frequency per week (on Monday and Thursday) and coincidences from/to Catania and Palermo. The... more
Industry747-8 Intercontinental passes 25 percent design milestone
Everett, Usa - The aircraft was launched in November 2005 by Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines
"The Boeing Company has passed a major milestone in the design of the 747-8 Intercontinental, completing 25 percent of the design releases for the new passenger airplane. This means a quarter of the information... more
ReportAir Force One's low flight causes panic in New York
New York, USA - White House official apologies
One of the presidential Boeing VC-25, military version of the 747, that is called "Air Force One" when the president is on board, performed yesterday morning a low flight above New York escorted by two... more
AirportsMilan airports, shareholders' meeting approved 2008 financial statements
Milan, Italy - Net profits reached 1.8 million euros
SEA (Milan airports operator) shareholders' meeting took place yesterday, led by its Chairman Giuseppe Bonomi, approved 2008 financial statements, where net profits reached 1.8 million euros and turnovers... more
DefenseChinese Navy wants a new supercruising aircraft
Beijing, China - Admiral Wu Shengli statements
Chinese Navy wants a new supercruising aircraft (supersonic aircraft without afterburners). "It is a high priority", admiral Wu Shengli said in a statement reported by "Aviation Week". Some days ago he... more
AccidentsPilatus PC-12 Montana air accident still without explanation: 14 victims
Washington, USA - Occurred on March 22. NTSB charges the lack of voice recorders
More than one month after last March 22 air accident that claimed the lives of 14 people, among which several kids, on board of a Pilatus PC-12 crashed near Butte, Montana (see AVIONEWS), the NTSB (National... more
Civil aviationOAG reports a 3% drop in airline capacity for April 2009
London, UK - The number of flights decrease by 6%
The world's airlines have scheduled 6% fewer flights for April 2009 compared with the same month last year, with a 3% drop in seat capacity, according to the latest statistics from OAG, the world's leading... more
Airlines48 hour-national strike for Alitalia
Rome, Italy - The announcement by the transport unions
According to a press-release reported by the category organizations, the transport unions requests to Alitalia a negotiation table and threaten two days of strike. The secretary's confederate unions,... more
SecurityNTSB requires new safety procedures for Boeing 757 and 767s
Washington, USA - To prevent loss of battery power
The American NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) issued a safety recommendation (A-09-41) asking the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to require Boeing to realize new procedures for B-757... more
SecurityFAA AD on Honeywell Flight Management Systems (FMSs) installed on various transport category airplanes (2009-08-01)
Washington, Usa - To prevent a shift in the FMS computed position, which could result in uncommanded deviations from the intended flight path of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal register: (Volume 74, Number 67)] [Page 16121-16124] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
SecurityFAA AD on Liberty Aerospace Incorporated model XL-2 airplanes (2009-08-05)
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct cracks in the exhaust muffler, which could result in carbon monoxide entering the cabin through the heating system
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 16117-16121] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
SecurityFAA AD on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters (2009-08-03)
Washington, Usa - To prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 16112-16114] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
Military aviationThe F-35 reaches England for ground tests
Brough, UK - The fighter arrived at BAE Systems' facilities in Brough
Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft model named AG-1, conventional take off and landing variant (CTOL), prepared for ground testing, arrived in England where it will undergo the trials... more
AirlinesAeroMexico announces first measures against the swine flu epidemic
Mexico City, Mexico - No case detected on the airline's flights
AeroMexico has announced preventive measures the airline has put in place, as well as instructions it is following from the Ministry of Health in Mexico, in connection with the recent swine flu outbreak... more
Fair and showsAir shows and exhibitions in the last week of April
Rome, Italy - From today, on Tuesday 28 to next Sunday on May 3
Tuesday 28 - Airport Cities, Conference and Exhibition. Hilton Hotel, Athens, Greece. + 44 208 831 7505 www.insightgrp.co.uk - "2009 FAI Qualifying Sailplane GP". Zar, Poland. + 48 22 826 76 70 http://events.fai.org... more
ReportItalian Red Cross task forces in airports against the swine flu
Rome, Italy - To control passengers coming from high-risk Countries
Italian Red Cross informed two task forces specialized in the passenger's control will examine the landing in the Italian airports of passengers coming from high-risk Countries. "The task forces have... more
Military aviation"IDEF 2009": Russia to complete project for the second aircraft carrier in 2012
Istanbul, Turkey - The only ship today in full play is the "Admiral Kuznetsov"
The deputy Russian defense minister responsible for military procurements, General Vladímir Popovkin, said Tuesday the project for the new aircraft carrier will be completed in 2012. The new ship will... more
IndustryLockheed Martin awarded $400 million contract for ISIS demonstrator
Palmdale, USA - It will lead an industry team to build a scaled model
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected Lockheed Martin to guide an industry team to design, build, test and fly a 1:3 scaled model of an airship for the third phase of the ISIS... more
AirlinesNew Bombardier aircraft for Porter Airlines
Toronto, Canada - Fleet expansion to cover new destinations
Canadian airline Porter Airlines is going to double its Bombardier aircraft fleet to face the addition of new routes both regional and towards the United States. The carrier in fact plans to raise the... more
AirlinesNew Board of Directors for Myair.com
Vicenza, Italy - The next meeting has been announced in mid-May
"Myair.com informs the Myair.com Assembly created a new Board of Director made up Senator Carlo Bernini, commandant Vincenzo Soddu, Mr Aldo Bianchini and Mr Ildebrando Brollo. The Board reconfirmed... more
ReportPaedophile "Guru's" incredible helicopter jailbreak
Saint-Denis, Réunion - Another escape using a chopper
It already happened in Italy, France, Greece (see AVIONEWS) and in many other countries. From time to time someone tries and manages to escape from jail thanks to accomplices and helicopters. This time... more
AerospaceMilstar satellites reached half century of combined operations
Sunnyvale, USA - Launched between 1994 and 2003
A U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin team announced today that the five-satellite Milstar constellation has accumulated 50 years of combined on-orbit operations and continues to provide secure, reliable and... more
AirportsBirmingham airport: Peter Vella, business development Director, decided to leave the company
Birmingham, UK - He has worked for the company for 12 years
Birmingham International Airport has announced that Peter Vella, Business Development Director, has decided to leave the company to pursue new business opportunities. Peter joined the company in his current... more
HelicoptersAVIONEWS in Albania with 4040th Helicopter Regiment
Tyrana, Albania - It has AB-206, AB-205, but also BO-105E and an A-109C
The Forcat Ajore Shqipetare (Albanian Air Force) 4040th Helicopter Regiment is the only operational division of this force joined NATO on April 4th, 2009. Farka-based, the Albanian Air Force has four... more
DefenseItalian navy: naval squad command handover
Rome, Italy - The ceremony will be held on Wednesday in Taranto
On the next 29th of April at 11:00 am (local time) on board of the "Garibaldi" ship at "Mar Grande" naval station in Taranto, Italy, the command handover for the naval squad between admirals Giuseppe Lertora... more
AirlinesJet2.com to have first Pratt & Whitney GMS life limited parts on CFM56-3s
London, United Kingdom - As regards Global Material Solutions (GMS) life limited parts programme
Jet2.com has selected an engine under its Pratt & Whitney fleet management programme agreement for installation of the airline's first P&W Global Material Solutions (GMS) life limited parts at the Pratt... more
Military aviationBoeing starts weapon systems' tests on the Airborne Laser aircraft
Edwards, USA - A heavily modified B-747/400F
"The Boeing Company, industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency have begun Airborne Laser (ABL) flight tests with the entire weapon system integrated aboard the ABL aircraft. ABL, a heavily... more
Civil defensePope Benedict XVI will visit tomorrow the earthquake-victim zones
Rome, Italy - The Pope will take off by a helicopter on the case of good weather conditions
Tomorrow, April 28, Pope Benedict XVI will visit the earthquake-victim zones of Abruzzo, Italy. The path foresees a visit to the camp of Onna before continuing to L'Aquila with a stop at Collemaggio basilica... more
HelicoptersUSA: seven CH-47F Chinook to Australia
Washington, USA - A deal worth 560 million dollars
On April 13 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of seven Chinook helicopters and other related equipment,... more
IndustryBoeing P-8A Poseidon performs first flight
Washington, USA - The new US Navy multi-mission platform
Boeing P-8A Poseidon successfully performed its first flight on Saturday: it took off from Renton Field and landed in Seattle about three and a half hours later. The aircraft is a modified B-737, enhanced... more
ReportWill Jean Cyril Spinetta leave Air France for the nuclear?
Paris, France - On April 30th he will be appointed new President of Areva's Council
Jean Cyril Spinetta, Air France-KLM CEO, should be appointed in short time as new President of the Areva's Surveillance Council. Areva is global leader in the construction of reactors and he will have... more
CuriositiesCosta Rica: a hotel suite in a Boeing 727 aircraft
San José, Costa Rica - Costa Verde Hotel transformed the fuselage
The fuselage of a 1965 Boeing 727 has been transformed in an exclusive suite by the owners of Costa Verde Hotel. The airplane used to fly for South Africa Air and Colombian Avianca Airlines before being... more
AirlinesAir Mediterranée based an A-321 at Bergamo-Orio al Serio Airport
Bergamo, Italy - It is the first time that displaces an airplane out of France
Air Méditerranée will displace a 220 seat-Airbus A-321 airplane at Bergamo-Orio al Serio Airport starting from November 1st, 2009. According to Antonio Proto, Air Méditerranée Commercial Manager, "Th... more
AccidentsHelicopter crash in Corsica during a EMS flight
Bastia, Corsica - Five killed, an infant among them, on "Dragon 2B" helicopter of the French Sécurité Civile
A dramatic result: four people and a baby, born on board, are dead last Saturday evening in a crash occurred to a helicopter of the Sécurité Civile, in an impenetrable zone in Rutali, 15 km far from B... more
Fair and shows"IDEF 2009": Turkey interested in Russian air defense systems and combat helicopters
Istanbul, Turkey - Russia to exhibit over 120 types of weaponry
Turkey has expressed interest in buying air defense systems S-400 and combat helicopters from Russia, a Russian defense industry official said on Monday. Russia will exhibit over 120 types of weaponry... more
ReportMexico, the measures by the Government against flu
Mexico City, Mexico - Mexican minister of Health, Josè Angel Cordova, stated
Concerning the flu which is striking Mexico, Josè Angel Cordova, minister of Health, stated: "For the purpose of keeping the public informed and according to the agreements reached by the General Health... more
AccidentsPostal cargo burns in Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico - The accident before take off. The crew managed to evacuate safely
A Four Star Douglas DC-3 postal cargo aircraft suddenly caught fire yesterday while performing take off operations in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was scheduled to fly to Saint Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.... more
AirportsSicilian airports: deviations and cancellations due to the strong wind
Palermo, Italy - The update by Italian ENAC
ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) updates the situation of "Falcone-Borsellino"-Palermo Airport affected today by strong blasts of wind. Nine flights are currently be deviated on Catania and Trapani... more
Civil aviationCessna XLS gains Chinese certification for operations up to 15,000 feet
Beijing, China - The Citation landed and took off from Qamdo Bangda, World's highest airport
Cessna Citation XLS gained Chinese authority's certification for operations up to 15,000 feet (4,572 meters) after landing and taking off successfully from Qamdo Bangda, in Tibet, World's highest airport... more
AirportsPassenger and aircraft traffic to Abu Dhabi increase in spite of economic downturn
Abu Dhabi, UAE - London takes the lead as the airport’s busiest destination
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) released the March 2009 traffic figures for the international airport. The figures show an overall passenger increase of 7.9% compared to the same month in the previous... more
Military aviationA light strike fighter for US Air Force?
Washington, USA - USAF Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz's proposal
US Air Force (USAF) could need a light strike fighter to be used in non conventional missions such as war against terrorism, besides using it as a trainer aircraft, USAF Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz... more