AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,497 news found
AirlinesEtihad Airways confirms 2.987% stake in Aer Lingus
Abu Dhabi, UAE - With commercial benefits for both airlines
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, confirmed yesterday it had acquired a 2.987 per cent stake in Aer Lingus. The airline said the purchase reflected its desire to forge... more
Press releaseBritish Airways launches its "Future pilots" program
London , United Kingdom - It will last 18 months; just 3% of the examinees admitted to the training
British Airways (BA) started the first-ever "Future pilots program" in the last few days, in order to train the airline's future pilots. The course will last 18 months. BA announced: "Only the top three... more
ReportAircraft and environment: Greenpeace activist assaults nuclear power plant with small paraglider (VIDEO)
Lion, France - The pilot shows the weakness of French nuclear site security
A German Greenpeace activist has assaulted a nuclear power plant in Bugey, France. The small paraglider landed inside the security perimeter of the structure after launching smokebombs. The man was arrested... more
CuriositiesThe perfect seat on an airplane is 6A (VIDEO)
Rome, Italy - Skyscanner unveils the most preferred and least chosen seats among passengers
A new survey conducted by Skyscanner.it, Italian flight search website, unveils that there is a strong request about choice of seats on an airplane. The study covering 1000 passengers between different... more
Civil aviationBoeing will complete 787/9 aircraft by 2014
Seattle, USA - Sections are moved by a 747/400 Large Cargo Freighter
Boeing will build a prototype of the aft section of the 787/9 aircraft by the end of the summer. This version would enter in service by 2014. The 787/9 will carry 290 passengers compared to 250 for... more
IndustryF-35A airplane completes first In-Flight refuelling mission with external weapons
Fort Worth, Usa - US Air Force Lt. Col. George Schwartz piloted the test aircraft
A Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing aircraft completed in the last weeks the program’s first in-flight refuelling mission while configured with external weapons at Edwards A... more
AirportsAutogrill secures duty-free concessions in "Sangster" airport in Jamaica
Milan, Italy - New markets strategy moves forward
Through its World Duty Free Group retail division, Autogrill has started up in Jamaica, where it has won a contract to operate duty-free stores at "Sangster international airport", the island’s biggest i... more
AerospaceEC: Galileo September launch will spur innovation
Brussels, Belgium - The second one is confirmed for 28th of the same month
Galileo's second launch of 2 satellites is confirmed for 28th September 2012. The resulting 4-satellite mini-constellation will enable testing of the functioning of the vast Galileo infrastructure. This... more
Civil aviationTransport by airplane. IATA: demand growth compromised by high oil prices
Geneva, Switzerland - Above $100/barrel (Brent crude) for the past 14 months
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global traffic results for March showing that total passenger demand rose 7.6% and freight demand climbed 0.3% compared to the same month last... more
Civil aviationSikh civil rights organization launches app to report airport security discrimination
New York, USA - Transport Security Administration agrees with the utilization
A new free mobile application to complain about discrimination performed by airport security against members of the Sikh community was launched on Monday. The initiative promoter is the Sikh Coalition,... more
OccurrencesF-22 aircraft pilots decline to fly
Washington, USA - "I don't feel it's right that I ask them to do it and I'm not willing to do it myself"
Some Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor pilots are refusing to fly these jets, expressing concerns about hypoxia-like incidents (AVIONEWS). "Obviously it's a very sensitive thing because we are trying to ensure... more
AirlinesIberia will use telemetry to reduce fuel consumption of its ground transport
Madrid, Spain - System operating on the Madrid-Barajas hub airport vehicles
Iberia is testing a telemetry system for refuelling its ground vehicles which provide handling services in the Terminal 4 of the Madrid-Barajas airport. The airline forecasts that the measurement system... more
IndustryFinmeccanica: 2,1% share loss after C-27 aircraft contract cancellation
Milan, Italy - Accusations continue; Orsi replies
Italian dailies continue to bombard Finmeccanica, reporting that "The situation remains unstable. The stock has suffered a sharp reduction to 3 Euro per share". Today May 02 2012 the situation seems better,... more
Military aviationUS re-visit F-16 aircraft contract with Taipei
Taipei, Taiwan - Not enough planes to contain China
The United States are convincing Taipei to re-visit the terms of a 66 F-16 C/D aircraft contract which was sealed with Washington, since this purchase would not be enough to oppose a strong air force fielded... more
DefenseMedvedev fires Russian Air Force commander
Moscow, Russia - No reason was given for the dismissal
The president of the ruling Russian political party Medvedev has sacked Russian Air Force Commander, Colonel General Alexander Zelin, dismissing him from military service. This happened today 27 April... more
IndustryA-350 XWB aircraft aft fuselage delivered to final assembly line
Toulouse, France - 20 metre long
Airbus has delivered the aft fuselage for the A-350 XWB airplane static test airframe to the final assembly line in Toulouse (France). This final section of the fuselage will be assembled with the front... more
AerospaceSoyuz capsule lands in Kazakistan with international crew
Moscow, Russia - It detached from the ISS today
A Russian Soyuz capsule (more precisely the Soyuz TMA-22) has detached from the International Space Station bringing back to Earth three astronauts, two Russians and one American. The undocking was set... more
DiscussionsAircraft and taxes: Ryanair continues to surprise with its "Evasions"
Milan, Italy - An analysis over the local responsibilities related to Ryanair success
The Italian daily "Il Corriere della Sera" published an article today about Ryanair, which "Brings tourists but dodges taxes". The analysis made by the newspaper higlights the many troubles the Michael... more
Fair and shows"Red Arrows" will fly again at the "Clacton Air Show"
London, UK - The team will fly with seven aircraft to honour pilots who died in accidents
The "Red Arrows" will fly again after mourning the death of two pilots during accidents. These deaths forced the team to stop activities for six months (AVIONEWS). The team will participate in the "Clacton... more
HelicoptersEurocopter’s EC-145 helicopter: 500 deliveries and still going strong
Donauwörth, Germany - The handover comes 10 years after first delivery of the model happened in April 2002
The 500th EC-145 helicopter was delivered by Eurocopter today, marking a new milestone for this twin-engine workhorse rotorcraft that continues in high-rate production for international customers. Eurocopter’s 5... more
Civil aviationVueling joins the competition for the new routes from Milan-Linate to Rome-Fiumicino
Milan, Italy - The decision will come in the last days of October
Another contestant joins in the race, which will be very hard-fought, to operate on the route between Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Linate: it's the low-cost Spanish airline Vueling. The Spanish company... more
AccidentsIndian Mirage fighter aircraft crashed due to technical defects
Delhi, India - Pilots ejected safely, but this was an exception to the rule
Both the Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft which crashed on 24 February and 5 March 2012 were lost due to technical faults related to a general upgrade, and not because of human mistakes as expected before... more
MuseumsItaly. Douglas DC-3 airplane transferred by crane to "Volandia" (VIDEO)
Varese, Italy - The only working model on display to public in Italy
"'Volandia'- 'Parco e Museo del volo', one of the largest aviation museums in the world- adds another piece to the collection of over 45 aircraft: the only Italian working model of a Douglas DC-3. 33... more
HelicoptersHelicopters. Eurocopter and Kazakhstan: partnership and capabilities on display at the "KADEX-2012" military exhibition
Marignane, France - The event will take place May 3-6
Eurocopter’s participation at the "KADEX-2012" exhibition will underscore its helicopter product line capabilities to meet Kazakhstan’s military, government and public protection mission requirements, whi... more
Civil aviationVirgin Atlantic introduces the "Upper class suite" on its aircraft
Crawley, UK - On London-Heathrow/New York-"JFK" flights
Luxury in Virgin Atlantic cabins: the Crawley-based airline introduces a new space called "Upper class suite" on its A-330 aircraft flying from London-Heathrow to New York-"JFK". "We've re-engineered... more
UAS-DronesDrone-aircraft: American Armed Services Committee on RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 retirement
Washington, USA - The drone is too expensive compared to U-2s
A discussion about the retirement of the RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV fleet has been going on since January 2012, and now the House Armed Services Committee has made the first move to reverse the decision. The... more
Press releaseSkyTeam launches "Go Russia Pass"
Amsterdam, Holland - Flexible, discounted travel to more than 30 Russian cities
"SkyTeam (ST), the global airline alliance, has launched its new 'Go Russia Pass' offering greater flexibility and cost savings on flights operated by Aeroflot within Russia. The pass is the latest in... more
Press releaseClarification from Chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica, Giuseppe Orsi
Rome, Italy - With regard to reports published in certain newspapers
Giuseppe Orsi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finmeccanica, has made the following statement with regard to reports published yesterday in certain Italian newspapers: "It is completely false... more
Civil aviation"Skytrax" airports ranking: the best are Asian
London, UK - No Italian airport in the top 100
"Skytrax", an English consultancy firm operating in the field of civil aviation, published its yearly ranking of the best airports in the world, as reported in yesterday on the German newspaper "Bild"... more
Science and technologyUAV swarms to penetrate extremely hostile enemy air space
Washington, Usa - Stealth fighter for surveillance and strikes
There still is a dark veil over the future of the American military programme. The F-35 project is still unclear, but it seems to further a common goal: to create the conditions to fight a new kind of... more
DefenseF-35: wrong decisions behind aircraft carrier cost increase
London, UK - Labour MP questions permanent secretary Ursula Brennan
The Commons public accounts committee questioned permanent secretary Ursula Brennan on the aircraft carrier/ F-35 programme total expenditure. Ms Brennan confirmed that no decision had yet been taken about... more
AirlinesWind Jet makes 504 employees redundant
Catania, Italy - Because of a 10 million Euro loss forecast
Wind Jet, an Italian low-cost airline, started the redundancy procedure for 504 employees yesterday, 26 April 2012. The deal signed in the last days with Alitalia for the purchase of the whole share package... more
ReportUS charges Taiwanese couple for supplying secret UAV information to China
Washington, USA - If found guilty they could face 15 years in jail
Two Taiwanese businessperson have been charged by US undercover agents with attempting to export US military information to China. The couple had been under investigation since February 2011. Huang Ling-chang... more
Press releaseBoeing on 2012 first quarter results
Chicago, USA - AVIONEWS reports the official statement released in Chicago
Yesterday April 25, 2012 Boeing reported strong results during its meeting in Chicago: "The Boeing Company reported first-quarter net income rose to $0.9 billion, or $1.22 per share, on revenue of $19.4... more
Civil aviationBoeing is to replace long-haul 757 aircraft
Seattle , USA - Extra hours for 737s
Boeing, the well-known aircraft-maker from Seattle, has confirmed a study to replace the long-haul 757/200 aircraft, probably with the latest version of the 737, the "Max". The 757/200 ceased production... more
IndustryFinmeccanica helicopters: New Delhi calls for new investigation
Delhi, India - "The Indian Embassy in Rome reports Italian authorities conducting preliminary investigations"
The Indian government called for a new investigation into the allegations of malpractice in the procurement of 12 AW-101 helicopters or the Indian Air Force. "Any such complaint or allegation received... more
IndustryFirst new-build Sharklet-equipped A-320 airplane completed in Toulouse
Blagnac, France - For fuel saving
Airbus has produced the first new-build A-320 with Sharklets. Depicted here at its roll-out in Toulouse, MSN 5098 will be one of several A-320 Family aircraft in the certification flight-test campaign... more
HelicoptersEurocopter España purchases 80% of the new society Sabadell Helicopters Service Center (Shsc)
Madrid, Spain - That combines repair and maintenance for helicopters of the Catalonian company TAF Helicopters SL
Continuing with its strategy of industrial expansion in Spain, Eurocopter proceeded with the purchase of an 80 percent stake in the new company Sabadell Helicopters Service Center (SHSC). With an initial... more
AirlinesItaly. Wizz Air announces a new route from Milan-Malpensa to Hungary
Milan, Italy - From next December 16, 2012
Wizz Air, the low-cost carrier of the central and eastern Europe, announces today a new connection from Milan-Malpensa to Debrecen, Hungary, from next December 16, 2012 and served initially twice per week. The... more
Civil aviationPakistan disaster: government orders aircraft inspections
Islamabad, Pakistan - Only Pakistan International Airlines is excluded
After the terrifying air accident which involved a Bhoja Air 737 aircraft last week (AVIONEWS) local government has ordered an extraordinary maintenance service for all the local airline fleets (excepting... more
AirlinesJet Airways confirmed the second main airline in direct links between Europe and India
Milan, Italy - By number of seats offered
Jet Airways, the Indian international airline, maintains its position as second largest carrier on the Europe-India market by number of seats offered with direct flights between Europe and India. Brussels... more
AerospaceAstrium built Galileo satellites fit and fully operational in orbit
Paris, France - Successfully pass ESA’s test phase, confirming full qualification and performance
The first two Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites built by Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, are working perfectly and now begin full in-orbit operations. The satellites successfully p... more
Weather forecastsTornado "Petra" over the Atlantic shores, air traffic troubles (VIDEO)
Bilbao, Spain - Hair-raising landing at Bilbao Airport
In the last few days bad weather is scourging the European Atlantic shores: the reason is an intense Atlantic disturbance, generated by a 975 millibar low pressure center, called Petra. Yesterday the... more
Fair and shows"Aero 2012": 550 exhibitors from 28 countries-30,800 industry visitors from around the globe
Friedrichshafen, Germany - Many orders and international contacts
Anyone who wants to fly has the "AERO" on their radar screen. For four days (April 18-21), pilots and aviation experts flocked to the international aviation show. The whole world of aviation came together... more
DefenseRussia claims arms sales to Syria were in compliance with UN rules; anti-aircraft and air-to-surface missiles
Moscow, Russia - "Our weapons are not used against civilians"
Russia will not decrease its quota of arms sales to Syria in line with the limitations established by the UN Security Council (AVIONEWS). "We will meticulously honor all resolutions by the UN Security... more
Military aviationMiG-29 crashes in Bulgaria
Plovdiv, Bulgaria - The two pilots are unharmed
A Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 fighter aircraft crashed today, Thursday 26 April 2012, in the Plovdiv region (southern Bulgaria). The two pilots, who managed to eject, are unharmed, but they have been... more
IndustryAircraft and industry: Lavitola interrogated by Italian public prosecutors about Finmeccanica
Naples, Italy - Despite the crisis, Finmeccanica's shares raises by 8%
The Italian public prosecutors Vincenzo Piscitelli, Francesco Curcio and Henry John Woodcock have interrogated Valter Lavitola about the bribes that Finmeccanica is said to have paid to push international... more
DefenseUkraine is going to sell anti-aircraft missile to India
Kiev, Ukraine - Kiev expresses concerns about Moscow
Ukraine is close to sealing a contract with India for R-27 air-to-air missiles. This contract is in its final stage, but is still waiting for approval from the Ukrainian leadership. The Vympel R-27... more
HelicoptersTwo more Eurocopter EC-135 helicopters are ordered by the Romanian Ministry of Health
Bucharest, Romania - For emergency medical missions and public assistance
The Romanian Ministry of Health’s Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter fleet will be increased with two additional helicopters ordered as part of a framework contract signed last year covering a total six of t... more
IndustrySukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft is certified in Mexico
Moscow, Russia - It allows the delivery and operations of aircraft of such a type in Mexico without limitations
On the 16th of April 2012 (but unveiled only yesterday) Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil, the Aviation Authority of Mexico provided Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) with the Validating Letter... more