PeopleToday Icao will vote its new General Secretary

Montreal, Canada - There are two candidates, an Italian and an Algerian

The council of Icao (International Civil Aviation Organization), UN civil aviation organization, will vote today, March 3rd, its new General Secretary. There are two candidates: the Italian Alfredo Roma,... more

AccidentsEmergency landing to North Carolina

Washington, Usa - A passenger tried to open a hatch during the flight

On March 1st, an airplane, during the flight New York-New Orleans, has been forced to an emergency landing in Charlotte (North Carolina) after that a passenger has tried to open a hatch during the way. Reasons... more

PeopleSigned an agreement between Piaggio Aero Industries and Pan Europeenne Air Service

Finale Ligure, Italy - The Italian company received a job order for two P-180 Avanti

The Piaggio Aero Industries has made an agreement with the Pan Europeenne Air Service, regional French chartering airline, for the sale of two Piaggio P-180 Avanti. This airplane, in fact, for its operating... more

AirlinesBA adapt itself to the low-cost strategies

London, UK - If there's not revenue it has to be cut the costs

The example of the so-called "low-cost" airlines is considered winning by many analysts, and however the performances recorded in the last years can confirm this view. Sure great merits have to be recognized... more

Weather forecastsAir shows and exhibitions in March 2003

HOUSTON AVIATION ALLIANCE MONTHLY LUNCHEON…March 3, Houston Hobby Hilton. Info: (713) 567-5054; e-mail: [email protected]. AERONAUTICAL REPAIR STATION ANNUAL REPAIR SYMPOSIUM…March 7-10, The Ritz Car... more

HelicoptersBritain supplied two MI-17 helicopters to Nepal Army (2): the technical sheet

Rome, Italy - A proper example of an helicopter fitting any needs

MI-17 is a multipurpose helicopter that can also be armed with an immense assortment of rockets and missiles, often used in order to supply support to the ground forces. But the varied employment is... more

HelicoptersBritain supplied two MI-17 helicopters to Nepal Army

Kathmandu, Nepal - They will only provide for logistic support

Two MI-17 helicopters arrived from England yesterday and were immediately put to disposition of Nepal Government, which has confirmed that it will only use them for logistic and humanitarian purposes.... more

DefenseThey're increasing the Alley bombings in the Southern of Iraq

Baghdad, Iraq - Also new weapons could be tested

The Anglo-American attacks in the last weeks have been intensified considerably against Iraqi targets, close to the two "no-fly zones", the no-overflight territories placed to the north and the south of... more

AccidentsPlane crashed in North Caroline killing 5

North Carolina, Usa - Probably a mechanical failure the cause

A technical breakdown immediately after the takeoff and the small Beech A-36 with 5 persons on board disappeared from the radar without warning: the wreckage has been found few km far from the airport... more

IndustryITT Avionics awarded of a near 9 USDm contract

USA

ITT Avionics, Clifton, N.J., is being awarded a $8,943,373 firm-fixed-price, time-and-materials contract for upgrade of the AN/ALQ-173 (V) electronic countermeasures system to the electronic countermeasures... more

IndustryBoeing awarded of a over 73 USDm contract

USA

Boeing Wichita Development and Mod Center, Wichita, Kan., is being awarded a $73,609,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (estimated and not-to-exceed ceiling) for block one modification for the E-4 aircraft.... more

IndustryMcDonnell Douglas Corp. awarded of a over 81 USDm contract

USA

McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., is being awarded a $81,419,395 firm-fixed-price contract modification for F-15 aircraft APG-63 (V) 1 radar upgrade, full-rate production... more

HelicoptersRussian MI-8 escaped by Chechen shooting

Moscow, Russia - Everybody was alive and well

It's returned to the base with 10 bullet holes provoked by an attack carried by the Chechen rebellious with powerful machine-guns, the Russian MI-8 that on last Thursday was in mission over Grozny territory,... more

AccidentsRescue helicopter crashes while performing rescue operation

Taipei, Taiwan - No one was wounded

An Alouette B-234, helicopter produced by the French industry Aerospatiale and used by the Civil Defense of Taiwan for rescue operations, has crashed on Saturday while it was trying to save some lives.... more

DefenseIran will not give its airspace in case of a conflict

Teheran, Iran - Usa will bring instability in the Middle East

Iran wants to conserve a role as much as neutral in the Iraqi crisis development, even if it would lead to a conflict: in that case its airspace will keep closed to the two opposing parties, Iraq and Usa.... more

AccidentsA parachutist airplane crashes, at least 5 died

Moscow, Russia - Other 7 are missing

"The airplane has begun to disintegrate to an altitude of approximately 3900 meters. At the moment 5 of 25 persons to on board are died and two are hurt; eleven parachutists were able to save but, we do... more

Weather forecasts1903 Wright Flyer replica to celebrate the first flight’s 100th anniversary

Houston, Usa – Celebration will begin on March 1st

Nearly 100 years after the dawn of powered flight, a highly authentic replica of the plane that launched a century of technological advances launches a journey of its own. The American Institut of Aeronautics... more

PeopleBoeing ready to construct its pilot training center

Seattle, Usa - Around 7000 pilots will be trained annually

The new Boeing training pilots center will cost at least USD 60m and it will be constructed in Atlanta, addressed essentially to two airlines, the AirTran Airways and the Midwest Express (which is changing... more

AirlinesA supplement of analysis if SkyTeam alliance will increase to other companies

Brussels, Belgium - Monti spokesman answers to Handelsblatt leaks

In case SkyTeam, aeronautical joint venture among which Alitalia, Air France and Delta, had to be increased to three other companies (Klm, Northwest and Continental), the European Commissioner Mario Monti... more

AerospaceAn ER-2 searched for shuttle Columbia's debris

Edwards,Usa - The aircraft flew over Western Texas for seven hours

On February 22, an ER-2 research aircraft flew over west Texas sky to search for the space shuttle Columbia debris. The ER-2, civil version of the U-2, operated at 20.000 and 70.000 feet of altitude. Images... more

AirlinesEurocypria chooses Boeing aircraft for its fleet

Larnaca, Cyprus - The preference is for the B-737/800

Eurocypria Airlines, subsidiary of the national air company Cyprus Airlines, will operate since today with Boeing aircraft for the first time in its history, while other four will be delivered during this... more

AerospaceUE Commission grants Galileo services in concession

Brussels, Belgium - If granted to privates, it will generate revenues beyond EUR 500m in 2020

UE Commission has identified substantial markets for Galileo services. It estimated that the system will generate revenues for the operator rising from EUR 66m in 2010 to EUR 500m in 2020. A Commission... more

IndustryAlenia supplies its air traffic surveillance systems to China, Colombia and Portugal

Rome, Italy - AMS consolidates its major role in the world

Alenia Marconi Systems consolidates its role as a major supplier of air traffic surveillance systems. It has recently signed new contracts in China, Colombia and Portugal. In January 2003, AMS was chosen... more

HelicoptersBoeing delivers the new AH-64 D Apache to US Army

St.Louis, Usa - 2000 helicopters will be sold within a decade

Boeing delivered in February 24 the first upgraded AH-64D Apache Longbow to the US Army. "This helicopter incorporates the latest in advanced avionics, digital enhancements and communications upgrades",... more

DefenseNew adjournment by Turkish Parliament about the bases concession to Us’ soldiers

Ankara, Turkey - Debate sent back on next Saturday

Yesterday morning, Vecdi Gonul, Turkish Defense Minister, has announced the Government assent to open the military bases to approximately 62.000 American soldiers (as published yesterday by AVIONEWS) and... more

AirportsCombined document between Russia and China to support Usa-North Korea talks

Beijing,China- Chinese and Russian State Secretaries support Pyongyang's position

The Chinese national press agency Xinhua published on February 27 the news of a document, happened the previous day, signed by Russian Secretary State and Chinese Secretary State,in which they declare... more

AccidentsLightning hit the airplane on which Jeb Bush travelled

Washington, Usa- The seven people aboard are safe

During the night of February 27, the airplane on which travelled the Florida Governor and brother of US President, Jeb Bush, has been hit from a lightning in the course of a flight from Tallahassee to... more

DefenseIn January North Korea has carried out missile test

Tokyo, Japan - According to the Japanese press North-Korean in a position to hit the Usa

According to the Japanese daily newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, in January North Korea has carried out a test of a ballistic missile Taepodong, by a launch from the communist Country’s Est coast. Japanese D... more

Press releaseBoeing adjudicates a new contract for the future multi-mission airplane of Us Navy

Washington, Usa - It concerning the MMA program

"The Boeing has obtained a contract from the US Navy for the second phase of the CAD (Component Advanced Development) relative to MMA program (Marine Multi-mission Aircraft). The value of the contract... more

IndustryThe Swiss' reorganization plan will not effect on Ebraer agreements

San Paolo, Brazil - A 60 planes order has been already set up

Care the recent decision of Swiss to reduce its operativity in order to face the critical aviation situation,the analysts had emphasized that probably some contracts with the manufacturer societies would... more

Latest newsSoon B-2 bombers will fly to the Gulf (2): technical sheet

Rome, Italy - Northrop B-2 Spirit

B-2 is the most expensive aircraft ever running at USD 865m per aircraft. The Usaf originally wanted 133 B-2s, but only 20 had been funded by 1995. There is provision for a third crew member behind the... more

AirlinesTerrorism insurance fees at Sydney airport

Sydney, Australia - But it will last only three months

The airport societies have spent and are spending a lot in order to improve the security, especially in Australia where they have been applied also some technologically advanced solutions. But these... more

Latest newsSoon B-2 bombers will fly to the Gulf

Washington, USA - Monday will sail the nuclear aircraft carriers Nimitz

According to sources near American Navy, soon, B-2 bombers would have to take off from the Usa bases to the Gulf. B-2 is invisible to the radars and can carry 900 kg bombs, guided by satellite. Sources... more

AccidentsEngine trouble for Blair's plane: he reached Madrid flying BA

London, UK - The Prime Minister met Aznar two hours later

A chaotic day yesterday for the English Prime Minister Tony Blair who had to meet with his Spanish peer José Maria Aznar in Madrid in order to face the spiny Iraqi issue. Indeed the airplane of Raf... more

Fair and showsInternational Nuclear Security Center's Chief has been murdered in Moscow

Moscow, Russia - News has been reported by Russian press agency Itar-Tass

According to Itar-Tass, Russian press agency, the body without life of Sergei Bugayenko, General Manager of the International Nuclear Security Center, has been found yesterday in the evening by police,... more

DefenseIraq agrees to destroy Al Samoud II missiles

Baghdad, Iraq - Usa are skeptical, Russia ready to use its veto power

Just after the announcement from the head of UN inspectors, Hans Blix, who said Iraq is collaborating minimally in the disarmament activities, it arrives the umpteenth countermove from Saddam Hussein who,... more

AerospaceRussia will assure the next flights towards Iss

Moscow, Russia - The crew will be reduced to two astronauts

A formal agreement has been reached between the Russian Government and the American one about the connections that must be assured with the Iss (International Space Station): the next missions will be... more

AccidentsSea King helicopter crashed on the Canadian destroyer's deck

Halifax, Canada - Unhurt the pilots, but the polemics soar

A Sea King helicopter, making part of the Canadian military forces, has crashed on the deck yesterday as soon as it took off from the destroyer "Iroquois", from just 7 meters of height: in the impact the... more

Latest newsUs Air Force will get two new B-757s in April

Washington, Usa - They will replace the old B-727s

According to some declarations coming from the American Air Force Chief Vice Marshall John Hamilton, the Defence Ministry has decided that they will be two new B-757s to replace the old B-727s bought secondhand... more

AirlinesThai purchases planes from United Airlines

Bangkok, Thailandia - Two opposite destinies, it's an agreement useful for both carriers

As more times AVIONEWS has underlined, especially recently, the contraction of the market of the civil aviation in Europe and Usa is a symptom disowned for the Asian carriers which, on the contrary, are... more

IndustrySikorsky Aircraft awarded of a over 113 USDm contract

USA

Sikorsky Aircraft, Shelton, Conn., is being awarded a $113,290,531 term contract for performance-based logistics support of 14 dynamic components of the H-60 aircraft. Work will be performed at Shelton,... more

AerospaceAustralia could enter in the American plan of the " Spaces Shield"

Sydney, Australia - The Australian Government would be studies the possibility

"Our first responsibility is to investigate the ways to protect Australia against the dangerous behaviors of states as Iraq and North Korea. It is not an offensive, but a defensive system. The spread of... more

AirlinesAir France could increase its operativity

Paris, France - An audacious choice in a period of unreliability

Air France could benefit of the uncertain situation in which some continental airlines are involved, in order to increase its operativity. Indeed after the financial ruin of Air Lib they are increased... more

HelicoptersEurocopter looks at East

New Delhi, India - 80 helicopters to be sold in the next three years

Eurocopter, subsidiary of Eads (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), would be aiming to the Indian market where it previews to sell 80 helicopters in the next three years. However the Asian... more

Science and technologyIt has been decided the plan to enlarge Gatwick airport

London, UK - Two more runways will be added to the existing one

There were three alternatives on which the issue of the widening of Gatwick airport was centralized, and to the end it has been decided, today, to choose the most drastic, that is the construction of two... more

AerospaceThe European probe Mars Express will be launched on May 23

Paris, France - Russian carrier Soyuz-Fregat will launch orbit the probe

It will be Russian carrier Soyuz-Fregat to launch in orbit Mars Express, European Space Agency probe. The launch has been fixed on May 23, from Baikonur cosmodrome, in Kazakistan. Mars’ ground geologic m... more

AirlinesBritish Airways ponder about a Concorde's retirement

London, UK - It's fading the dream of a supersonic airline

According to the English tabloid "Sun" the Concorde could be grounded in the next few days although it would be able to remaining in service until 2009. But the market conditions are not good in order... more