AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,325 news found
UAS-DronesUS Armed Forces demand drones and UAV helicopters
Washington, USA - US Navy opts for hydrogen fuel cell and Marines seek aircraft to deploy in Afghanistan theater
The U.S. Navy is planning a spring flight test for an unmanned aerial vehicle powered entirely by a hydrogen fuel cell, which is twice as efficient as an internal combustion engine. "This will really... more
MiscellaneousA peace wishes by AVIONEWS
Rome, Italy - We will resume the publication on April 14th
In this sad time shaken by the earthquake that hit Abruzzo, AVIONEWS wishes all its subscribers and newsreaders a peaceful and solidarity Easter 2009 and informs the Agency will remain closed on April... more
Civil defenseImposing funeral of victims in the Abruzzo's earthquake
Rome, Italy - The local and national State Authorities were present
"The imposing funeral for the earthquake's victims, occurred last Monday, have been taken place in Piazza d'Armi (Italian Financial Police's School) in Coppito, near L'Aquila, by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone... more
AerospaceNew images of L'Aquila from space sent by Cosmo-SkyMed
Rome, Italy - In the satellite map of the city are recognizable the mainly hit areas
The acquisition work continues for satellite images on the area hit from an earthquake in Abruzzo by the Cosmo-SkyMed's team, the satellite system of the ASI (Italian Space Agency) and Defense Ministry. New... more
IndustryRolls Royce will supply engines for USD $900 million to Saudi Arabian Airlines
London, UK - The airline will install the Trent 700EPs on its A-330s
Saudi Arabian Airlines chose the Trent 700EP engines for 12 Airbus A-330s (8 plus an option for further 4). The contract has a value of about USD $900 million and includes an agreement for long-term services.... more
AerospaceRussia to launch new spy satellite within 2009
Moscow, Russia - GLONASS-K to be put into orbit in 2011
A new Russian spy satellite will be launched within 2009, deputy Minister of Defense Vladímir Popovkin said to the press. "We plan to launch in 2009 a new spy satellite" and he added at the same time... more
AirportsItaly, Florence airport: € 6,000 found in chocolate egg
Florence, Italy - A Chinese citizen has been blocked by Italian customs officers
Who of us would not be happy, opening a chocolate egg, to find a similar surprise? The Italian customs officers at Florence-Peretola airport in fact blocked a Chinese citizen who was carrying a chocolate... more
HelicoptersS-92 Cougar helicopter crash: inquiry into worker safety
Toronto, Canada - Announced by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board has announced that in accordance with the provisions of the Atlantic Accord Acts pertaining to "Mandatory Inquiries", the Board shall establish... more
OccurrencesBird-strike for United Airlines A-320 in California
Sacramento, USA - The aircraft was forced to invert the route and land at the departure airport
A bird-strike forced a United Airlines Airbus A-320/200 to invert its route and land at the departure airport in Sacramento, USA. The plane, some minutes after taking off, hit a bird with the nose and... more
OccurrencesProblems for Air France Boeing 747 with 433 passengers on board
Paris, France - The airplane, that was flying to Miami, was forced to land again for a possible problem to the gear
The crew of an Air France Boeing 747-400 that took off yesterday from Paris airport, France, flying to Miami, USA, while already in flight noticed a possible anomaly to the gear and was forced to invert... more
AirportsLondon-Stansted: gas consumption 40% reduction thanks to alternative fuels
London, UK - Despite one of the coldest winters in 13 years
The use of alternative fuels allowed London-Stansted airport to save up to 40% in gas consumption compared with the predictions for what turned out as being one of the coldest winters in the last 13 years.... more
AirportsSacbo: passengers at the Bergamo-Orio al Serio's airport
Bergamo, Italy - A positive result in the first quarter 2009
"A positive result for passengers at the Bergamo-Orio al Serio's airport in the first quarter 2009. The increase equal to 0,6% on total 1,452,923, indicates the good trend of the load factor on scheduled... more
AirportsAir Nostrum to cease operations from Pisa to Madrid
Pisa, Italy - Starting from October 1st
SAT, Pisa airport operator, announced that Air Nostrum flight Pisa-Madrid is likely to cease starting from October 1st. According to the carrier (which operates the service in cooperation with Iberia),... more
IndustryBoeing to decrease production of twin-aisle aircraft for 2010
Seattle, USA - Due to difficult global economic conditions
Boeing will decrease production of wide-body twin-aisle aircraft in 2010 due to the difficulties suffered by the market for the global economic downturn, passing from seven 777s produced every month to... more
AirportsHeathrow terminal evacuated for suspect parcel
London, UK - Closed for about a hour
Alarm for the possible presence of a suspect parcel at London-Heathrow airport yesterday at about 12:30 pm. Evacuation of a part of terminal 3 was necessary, and the area was closed for about a hour to... more
AirportsLeeds-Bradford Airport prepares for a cracking Easter week-end
Leeds, UK - Over 25,000 passengers are expected to use the airport
Over 25,000 passengers are expected to use Leeds-Bradford International Airport (LBIA) this week-end as the people of Yorkshire plan their Easter getaway. Tony Hallwood, commercial and aviation development... more
AirportsMalpensa: closed some luxury shops. Alert by CGIL
Milan, Italy - "3,000 workers for 130 companies that cannot count on the social safety valves"
It is not enough the Alitalia's flight cut and the global downturn, now the airport of Milan-Malpensa sees to close different luxury shop like Valentino, Diesel and Trussardi. But it seems Bulgari, Herme... more
CuriositiesHistorical livery for the DC-3 at Turin airport
Turin, Italy - Alenia Aeronautica and SAGAT restored the old aircraft
SAGAT (Turin airport managing society) and Alenia Aeronautica restored the historical "Dakota" aircraft of Turin-Caselle airport. The old Douglas DC-3 was repaired and repainted with the livery of the... more
AirlinesAir France takes delivery of its 54th Boeing 777
Rome, Italy - It's first with the new livery and the 777th model manufactured by the industry
"On Friday 10 April 2009, in Everett, Air France will take delivery of its 54th Boeing 777, registration F-GZND. This aircraft is the 777th Boeing 777 produced by the manufacturer Boeing at its workshops... more
AirlinesXL Airways announces new Paris-NY flight
Paris, France - From June 26th to September 14th
XL Airways announces the new biweekly flight (on Monday and Friday) from Paris to New York starting from June 26th to September 14th. The route will be operated with an Airbus A-330/200 airplane to a low-cost... more
AirlinesAlitalia: scandal of the law on bond
Rome, Italy - Planned a 32.5% repay of the bond's nominal value
Yesterday the decree on incentives to industry and economics became law, the daily "MF" said. "The modality of repay for the bondholders - that will have only 32.5% of the Alitalia bonds' nominal value... more
AccidentsTexas airplane crash: pilot killed
Edinburg, USA - The Cessna went down in a field after damaging some power lines
A 1979 Cessna T210N "Turbo Centurion" II, tail number N127TC, crashed yesterday morning at about 8:00 am local time in a field near Edinburg, Texas. The pilot, William Peisen, 50-year-old lawyer, is understood... more
Military aviationRussia-China, deals worth 16 billion dollars since 2001
Moscow, Russia - The first contract of 2009 forecasts the delivery of 100 jet engines for Chinese J-10 fighters
Russian-Chinese military-technical cooperation totals 16 billion dollars since 2001, but the Chinese share of Russian arms exports is decreasing. "In the past 15 years, China has been one of our major... more
AirportsPassengers at Canarias airports down (-20,29%)
Gran Canaria, Spain - Operations and cargo also decreased
The eight airports of Canarias islands recorded 2,713,043 passengers during March 2009. This figure, which underlines the downturn of air transportation worldwide due to the economic crisis, means a decrease... more
AirportsAeradria: Myair.com ready to take off from "Federico Fellini", the Rimini's airport
Rimini, Italy - Three new routes served by A-320 airplanes
"The low-cost carrier, Myair.com, launched for next Summer three new routes from Rimini to Paris-'Charles de Gaulle', Bucharest-Baneasa and Amsterdam-Schiphol, three European important airports. The... more
IndustryAlenia Aermacchi recognizes winners of its “Name the M-346” competition
Venegono, Italy - Over 4,000 entries were received
"Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, recognized last Wednesday the three winners in its 'Name the M-346' competition. Over 4,000 entries were received and analysed by a special committee, which met... more
AirlinesEthiopian Airlines strengthens connections from/to Rome-Fiumicino
Rome, Italy - 9% net profit for the first two quarters of the FY 2008-2009
Starting from June 1st Ethiopian Airlines will increase its frequencies from/to Italy, particularly connections with Rome-Fiumicino Airports that will pass from one daily flights in departure to 10 weekly... more
DefenseIsrael will supply spy drones to Russia
Moscow, Russia - To cover Moscow's lack in air recognition
Russia and Israel signed a contract for the supply of military equipments for the first time. Moscow in fact to buy a series of UAV (Unmanned Aereial Vehicle) spy drones from a commercial company of the... more
AerospaceTelespazio: "Sicral 1B" Italian satellite ready for launch
Rome, Italy - Scheduled on next April 19
"The SICRAL 1B satellite is scheduled for launch on April 19, on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Defense. It will be launched at 10.16 am (Europe time) by a Zenit-3SL rocket operating from the Sea Launch... more
AirlinesSmartWings to launch tomorrow Rome-Prague flight
Rome, Italy - A weekly flight from Naple to start from June
SmartWings will launch a new route from Prague to Rome-Fiumicino Airport, while a weekly flight will be launched on May from Naples. The carrier appointed Spazio as new sale agent for Italy. "The carrier... more
AirlinesMeridiana-Eurofly aim at Verona
Milan, Italy - More convenient connections with Rome
Meridiana and Eurofly aim at Verona. The airlines connect Cagliari, Catania, Lamezia, Lampedusa, Olbia, Palermo, Pantelleria, Rome-Fiumicino, Chisinau, Fuerteventura, Mykonos, Pristine and Tel Aviv. The... more
AirlinesAir Europa flies in code-share with Spanair
Barcelona, Spain - Starting from April
Air Europa and Spanair signed a code-share agreement and enlarges its domestic network. Starting from April it will be possible to fly from Rome, Milan and Venice via Madrid to Santiago de Compostela,... more
AirlinesChina Southern to launch "Mobile Check-in" service
Guangzhoun, China - On flights from Guangzhou-Baiyun to Zhengzhou
China Southern Airlines yesterday became the first Chinese carrier to offer mobile check-in, another innovative step for the airline. The carrier introduced check-in via SMS last September, allowing passengers... more
AirlinesOrbitz cuts fees on flights
Atlanta, USA - The promotion to last until May
Orbitz Worldwide announced it would waive booking fees on flights booked on Orbitz.com and Cheaptickets.com through May, a move that pits the company against rivals in a battle for spring travel customers. Online... more
DefenseRussia to test Topol ballistic missile
Moscow, Russia - In service from 1987
Russia will test launch on Friday a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk space center in Northern Russia. The missile was in active service from 1987 until 2007, and deployed with... more
AccidentsPhilippines helicopter crash: the number of victims grows to 8
Baguio City, Philippines - None of the occupants survived: all bodies recovered
The bodies of all the 8 occupants of the Bell 412 helicopter that crashed on Tuesday near Baguio City, Philippines, (see AVIONEWS) have been recovered. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo burst into tears... more
AccidentsHelicopter crash in Mexico: 3 victims
Cubiri de la Maquina, Mexico - Possible mechanical breakdown
A helicopter of the Mexican Geological Service (SGM) crashed on Wednesday at about GMT 8:55 pm (2:55 pm local time) in the Mexican region of Sinaloa, near Cubiri de la Maquina. No one of the three occupants... more
DiscussionsNew runway at Cagliari airport (3): aims and expectations
Cagliari, Italy - Coni to AVIONEWS "The project aims to collect data for the next two years and will give figures and results of what happens under the asphalt during landings and take offs"
At 6:10 a.m. (Italian time), AirOne flight to Milan-Linate was the first to take off from the new runway at Cagliari-Elmas airport, within the "Italian SmartRunway Project", the first international example... more
Fair and shows"Aero Friedrichshafen 2009" (5): flash on Diora KX-165 "Icepik"
Friedrichshafen, Germany - This interesting machine with two coaxial contra-rotating rotors from Hungary
The last newness for this edition the prototype of the original Diora KX-165 "Icepik", presented by the Hungarian Dioferr Kft, light helicopter with two coaxial contra-rotating main rotors with propellers... more
DiscussionsNew runway at Cagliari airport (2): the details of the project
Cagliari, Italy - AVIONEWS interviewed Mauro Coni, an engineer who participated in the project
AVIONEWS interviewed Mauro Coni, an engineer professor of "Roads, railways and airports" at Cagliari University and co-author of the "Italian SmartRunway Project", which represents the firs example in... more
AerospaceESA: Herschel and Planck scheduled for launch on 6th of May
Kourou, French Guiana - All clear for the lift-off after the last tests
The ESA (European Space Agency) satellites Herschel and Planck will take off on the 6th of May from Europe's cosmodrome in Kourou, French Guiana. After the recent delays the final decision arrived after... more
Fair and shows"Aero Friedrichshafen 2009" (4): Syton AH-130
Friedrichshafen, Germany - The alternative: the ULM helicopter
In the "Light helicopter" sector: Alpi Aviation, famous Italian maker society, presented its "Syton AH-130". The new helicopter that has marked the entry into rotary wing market of this society and today... more
AirportsNewness from "Catullo" (Verona): new scheduled flights to Berlin and Düsseldorf
Verona, Italy - Two biweekly connections served by Germania airline, from May 28
"The passengers in 'Catullo', the Verona's airport, could have two new services with the German Republic, for next Summer season. The airline Germania, situated in Cologne/Bonn airport and based in... more
AccidentsUSA: firefighting aircraft pilot killed in air accident
Madison, USA - He was supplying information to the firefighters on ground
Heath Van Handel, 36-year-old expert pilot, has been killed yesterday in Wisconsin during a firefighting mission on board of a Cessna 337C "Super Skymaster". His duty was to observe the fire from the sky... more
DefenseRussia will supply S-400 Triumph missiles to Belarus
Moscow, Russia - Within the common air space defense plan
Russia will supply the military forces of Belarus republic with S-400 missiles, within the common air space defence plan of the two Countries. Russian press agency "Interfax" states it quoting deputy commander... more
Fair and shows"Aero 2009" (3): flash on Phenix and Xenon XL
Friedrichshafen, Germany - The revenge by autogiro
The Spanish Phenix has been ended few days before to be exposed to this international fair. The autogiro with two seats side by side is featured from a very harmonious line with the engine and propeller... more
DiscussionsNew runway at Cagliari airport: a technological challenge in the project
Cagliari, Italy - AVIONEWS interviewed Mauro Coni, an engineer who participated
At 6 a.m. the new runway at Cagliari-Elmas airport has been opened. Vincenzo Mareddu, chairman of Sogaer (the airport operator) and director general Alessio Grazietti highlighted the success of the operation,... more
Fair and shows"Aero 2009" (2): flash about Arrow-Copter AC-10
Friedrichshafen, Germany - Autogiro with high performance and stringy line
In the segment of high flight performances, here an other new project developed by Austrian FD Composites, in collaboration with Carbon Tech: the Arrow-Copter AC-10. From its name is clear that it's an... more
IndustryAir Tahiti takes delivery of its 25th ATR airplane
Toulouse, France - The airline has a fleet of ten models
"French Polynesia-based Air Tahiti today took delivery of its 25th ATR aircraft, an ATR-72/500, in a ceremony held at the Final Assembly Line of the European turboprop manufacturer in Toulouse. With this... more
Fair and shows"Aero Friedrichshafen 2009": flash about light helicopters and autogiro
Friedrichshafen, Germany - Many newness
"Aero 2009", just ended, has seen a dense participation by autogiro's makers coming from all Europe. This particular air mean, during the years, has found again its affirmation, in the light aviation,... more