AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,641 news found

AccidentsPhilippines: missing airplane found after 12 days. 7 victims
Manila, Philippines - The helicopters could not land: recovery operations delayed
The airplane that went missing in the Philippines (see AVIONEWS) was found today after 12 days of searches made difficult by the bad weather and by the unevenness of the ground. According to Philippine... more

Military aviationUSAF officials approve F-22 program cuts
Washington, USA - Without support from the military is likely that the expensive project will be dropped
US Air Force (USAF) agrees with Obama, supporting his proposal to buy only 4 new Lockheed Martin F-22 fighters. US Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz announced... more

Civil aviationUSA-Cuba, the return of regular flights
Havana, Cuba - The US President Obama repeals the travel restrictions
During his election campaign, Barack Obama talked about a new opening up to Cuba, and today signals are tangible. US President Barack Obama has lifted curbs on travel (flights return regular) and money... more

CargoFedEx to reduce its capacity by retiring 14 aircraft from service
Memphis, USA - The decision taken to face difficult economic conditions
Cargo transport giant FedEx from the 31st of May will retire 14 aircraft (10 Airbus A-310s and 4 Boeing MD-10s), besides some excess engines, to reduce its operational capacity as further measure to face... more

AirlinesOlympic Airlines, today owned by Marfin Investment Group
Athens, Greece - Signed a deal worth 177 million Euros
By putting an end to a matter that provoked a loss of over 2.6 billion Euros in the last 15 years, the Greek Government ratified few days ago the Olympic Airlines's take-over to Marfin Investment Group... more

AirlinesShare capital increase for Turkish Airlines
Ankara, Turkey - From TRY 175 million Lira to TRY 875 million (around € 420 million)
Turkish national carrier Turkish Airlines announced to the stock market its intention to boost its capital from the present TRY 175 million Lira (around € 85 million) to 875 million (€ 420 million). The... more

AirportsSpirit Airlines connects Boston and Atlantic City
Boston, Usa - Logan airport also welcomed Sun Country Airlines
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines will begin offering daily service to Boston’s newest destination Atlantic City, starting May 1. With the addition o... more

Press releaseUiltrasporti: the helicopter's pilots strike, fixed for next April 19, has been postponed
Rome, Italy - Following to the earthquake occurred in Abruzzo last week
"Uiltrasporti informs that the strike by helicopter's pilots, fixed for next April 19, has been postponed following to the tragedy recently happened in Abruzzo and in the ambit to supply the major support... more

Finance and economyBoeing to slow production 2009
St. Louis, USA - The announcement of the production cut
Hard days for Boeing. The Company last week announced that it would slow manufacturing rates for three larger jet models, the 767, 777 and 747/8, whose sales have been battered by a decline in air freight... more

Fair and showsAir shows and exhibitions in the second week of April
Rome, Italy - From today, on Tuesday 14 to next Sunday 19
Tuesday 14 - "2009 Pribina International Gliding Cup". Nitra, Slovakia. + 421 37 656 1251 www.pribinacup.sk Wednesday 15 - "2009 Pribina International Gliding Cup". Nitra, Slovakia. + 421 37... more

AirlinesSyrian Air to open second weekly flight from Malpensa Airport
Milan, Italy - Starting from June 2nd, 2009
New manoeuvres for Syrian Air. Starting from June 2nd the Syrian airline will launch the second weekly flight from Milan-Malpensa Airport and will be valid until September 16th, 2009. The carrier operates... more

Civil defenseEarthquake in Abruzzo: the Italian Civil Defense has set up two banks accounts
Rome, Italy - To make donations in support of the population affected by the quake
"The Italian Department of Civil Protection has set up two bank accounts where it is possible to make donations in support of the population affected by the earthquake. - BANK ACCOUNT IBAN IT72U0300205207000401124180... more

AirlinesThe Milan Province criticizes Alitalia's monopoly on Linate-Fiumicino route
Milan, Italy - SDL continues its battle on the lack of personnel
Following protests by airlines and consumer associations against Alitalia's monopoly on Linate-Fiumicino route, the Milan Province takes the filed, the Italian daily "Il Sole 24 Ore" said on Monday. Mr... more

AirlinesAll Nippon Airways to go on strike tomorrow
Tokyo, Japan - 18% flights could be cancelled
All Nippon Airways (ANA) said Monday that unions representing pilots at four group companies plan to go on strike Wednesday, a move that could result in widespread cancellations of domestic flights. The... more

OccurrencesUSA: passenger lands plane after pilot's death
Fort Myers , USA - Thanks to help from ATC. He was an experienced pilot, but only on single-engines
The passenger of a Beechcraft B-200 "Super King Air" with six people on board managed to make it land in Fort Myers, Florida, after the pilot's death for a heart attack a few minutes after taking off on... more

IndustrySBIRS program, Lockheed Martin ready to follow-on production phase
Sunnyvale, USA - The preliminary design review for the Space-based Infrared System has been completed
Lockheed Martin, after completing the preliminary design review (PDR) of the project together with US Air Forces (USAF), submitted its proposal for the SBIRS (Space-based Infrared System) program's follow-on... more

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