AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
102,481 news found
CuriositiesSWISS names Airbus A-330/300 "Bellinzona"
Zurich, Switzerland - It's the second aircraft of new fleet with the name of the capital of Canton Ticino
"Bellinzona, the capital of Switzerland’s Canton Ticino, now has its name on a SWISS aircraft. New Airbus A-330/300 HB-JHC was correspondingly named yesterday at Zurich Airport. The naming was performed b... more
PeopleBarbara Robinson died after 12 years of illness
Hermosa Beach, USA - Ex wife of the founder of the homonym helicopter manufacturer
Barbara K. Robinson, ex-wife of the founder of Robinson Helicopters, died at 53 after 12 years of fight against cancer. In 2005 she had founded the "Robinson breast cancer research fund", initially financed... more
CargoGEnx-2B installed on the new B-747/8 Freighter
Everett, USA - The first flight is scheduled before the end of the year
Boeing's mechanics mechanics completed the installation of the new GEnx-2B engines on the 747/8 Freighter airplane number 1, currently in final assembly at the factory in Everett. These engines continues... more
OccurrencesQantas aircraft diverted after fuel leak
Perth, Australia - Decision taken as a precautionary measure
The pilot of a Qantas Boeing 747/400 (registration number VH-OJK), flight QF32 from Singapore to Sydney with 290 passengers on board, decided today to change route and land at Perth airport (Australia)... more
SecurityFAA AD on Boeing model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, and -300; 747SP and 747SR series airplanes (2009-18-07)
Washington, Usa - To prevent the loss of the structural integrity of the fuselage, which could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 43629-43632] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
SecurityFAA AD on Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes (2009-18-03)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 43636-43638] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
SecurityFAA AD on Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA), model CN-235, CN-235/100, CN-235/200, and CN-235/300 airplanes (2009-18-06)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: (Volume 74, Number 165) [Page 43632-43634] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
DefenseChina to unveil new missiles during October 1 celebrations
Beijing, China - According to military sources they should level the Asian country with USA and Russia
China is going to unveil five new types of missiles during the National Day on October 1, 60th anniversary of the revolution that brought to the birth of the People's Republic of China. The newspaper "The... more
Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: short downpours and storms on the North
Rome, Italy - The Italian Civil Defense Department has issued a notice for adverse weather conditions
"The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of available forecast, has issued a notice for unfavourable weather conditions that anticipates from this evening, on Wednesday September 2, the arrival... more
HelicoptersItalian Air Force AB-212/ICOs reach 1,500 flight hours in Afghanistan
Herat, Afghanistan - In armed reconnaissance, tactical transport and aeromedical evacuation missions
Italian Air Force AgustaWestland/Bell AB-212/ICO helicopters of the 21th Group have reached the goal of 1,500 flight hours in Afghanistan, during a night mission that took off and landed in Herat. The... more
Civil aviationBritish Airways receives its first A-318 certified for steep approach
London, UK - It will serve the twice-daily London-New York route
Airbus has delivered the first of two A-318 aircraft equipped with steep approach capability to British Airways. The A-318 is the largest commercial aircraft certified to land at steeper than usual gradients... more
AccidentsItaly: tail strike on take off for A-320 at Verona airport
Verona, Italy - Passengers rearranged on Air Italy aircraft
A Balkan Holidays (on behalf of Air Vallee) Airbus A-320/200 aircraft, registration number LZ-BHC, yesterday hit the runway at Verona "Catullo" airport (Italy) with its tail while it was taking off towards... more
AirlinesGulf Air puts its A-340s on sale
Manama, Bahrain - Within a comprehensive review of the carrier's business
Gulf Air, national airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain, gave a remarketing mandate to the company Avinco to sell or lease its five owned A-340/300s within a comprehensive review if its business. The carrier... more
AirlinesAmerican Airlines might lay off 921 flight assistants
Fort Worth, USA - The measure will be effective from October 1
American Airlines decided to cut 921 flight assistant jobs, about 6% of all those currently employed by the carrier, to face the difficulties caused by the global air transport crisis. Among these there... more
SecuritySouthwest Airlines must replace all unapproved parts by Christmas
Washington, USA - FAA's decision on about 80 of the carrier's Boeing 737 aircraft
The waited decision about the unapproved parts mounted on some Southwest Airlines' Boeing 737 aircraft (see AVIONEWS) arrived yesterday. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved a plan that would... more
Military aviationItalian "Frecce Tricolori" performed in Libya
Tripoli, Libya - All issues solved the exhibition took place in the usual way
The Italian "Frecce Tricolori" yesterday performed in the sky of Tripoli, leaving behind them the three-coloured smoke representing the Italian flag. The Libyan leader, Muammar al-Gaddafi, had to renounce... more
AerospaceISS: first spacewalk completed for mission STS-128
Cape Canaveral, USA - It lasted 6 hours and 35 minutes
The first of three spacewalks scheduled for mission STS-128 to the ISS (International Space Station) has been completed this morning at 4:24 am GMT (12:24 am EDT). It lasted 6 hours and 35 minutes during... more
UAS-DronesUAS Hunter satellite-guided weapons' testing completed
Herndon, USA - New GPS Viper Strike systems for the US Army
Northrop Grumman announced today that it has successfully completed testing of the new GPS-guided Viper Strike (VS) weapons system on the Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), in use with the US Army... more
DefenseRaytheon gets support contract for Taiwan's Patriot missiles
Tewksbury, USA - The deal is worth US$26.9 million
Raytheon announced today it has been awarded $26.9 million contract for technical assistance in support of Taiwan's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. This award from the US Army Aviation and Missile... more
IndustryUS's ExpressJet reaches 5 million flight hours for its all-jet fleet of ERJ-145s
São José dos Campos, Brazil - The largest operator of the aircraft, worldwide, celebrates historic milestone
"Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A.) joins its Houston-based customer, ExpressJet Airlines, exclusively operating over 240 ERJ-145 jet aircraft, in celebrating yet another landmark in this... more
AirportsParis-"Charles de Gaulle", terminal blocked for clash between police and taxi-drivers
Paris, France - The drivers complain about the agents' control methods
Terminal 3 of Paris-"Charles de Gaulle" airport ha been temporarily closed yesterday evening due to the clash between police and taxi-drivers. These complained about the heavy methods used by the agents... more
ReportSeptember 1, 1939: Hitler invades Poland
Gdansk, Poland - Marking the beginning of World War II
The representatives of Germany, Russia and Italy, besides some 20 further delegations, met today in Gdansk, Poland, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the German invasion. The ceremony was attended by... more
AirportsFlorence airport personnel on strike on next Sunday
Florence, Italy - Announced by CGIL, CISL, UIL and UGL trade unions for four hours
"Due to the strike announced by Florence airport personnel there might be some modifications to the normal operational activity of the 'Amerigo Vespucci' airport on Sunday, September 6, 2009. However,... more
ReportLibya, the display team will fly with three-coloured smoke
Rome, Italy - Confirmed by prime minister Berlusconi and defense minister La Russa
Although Libya keeps asking that the Italian display team performs using only green smoke, the colour of the Libyan flag, on the occasion of the celebrations 40 years after Muammar al-Gaddafi seized control... more
AirlinesStar Alliance launches "Circle North Asia" fare
Frankfurt, Germany - For "Circular" trips from three days to two months among China, Japan and Korea
Airlines belonging to Star Alliance announced today the launch of the new "Circle North Asia" fare. The new multi-carrier fare is valid on Air China, ANA-All Nippon Airways, Asiana and Shanghai Airlines... more
Civil aviationIATA: US$6 billion lost in the first six months of 2009
Geneva, Switzerland - Despite a slight growth of traffic
The IATA (International Air Transport Association) today announced the first results concerning the January-June 2009 period. The air transport industry lost more than US$6 billion: in the second quarter... more
SecurityFAA AD on CFM International, S.A. turbofan engines (2009-18-01)
Washington, Usa - To detect low-cycle-fatigue cracks in the LP turbine rear frame, which could result in an engine separating from the airplane, causing damage to, and possibly leading to loss of control of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 43634-43636] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
SecurityFAA AD on Fokker model F-27 Mark 050 and F-28 Mark 0100 airplanes (2009-18-05)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 43625-43629] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
Civil defenseFires in Portugal: Italian Civil Defense sent two Canadairs
Rome, Italy - This morning took off from Lamezia Terme and Olbia's airports
"The Italian Civil Defense Department has organized sending of two of its own Canadairs in Portugal, to support the firefighting operations of numerous fires that are interesting the Country. Portugal... more
Press releaseSkyEurope's bankruptcy: Italian Confconsumatori asks to the Foreign Affair Ministry to come back the Italians
Parma, Italy - Following to the consequent cancellation of all flights
"Following to the SkyEurope's bankruptcy and consequent flights cancellations, many Italian citizens are abroad and can't return back. The only assistance is by the Italian Embassy. For such reasons... more
Weather forecastsBad and unstable weather for the week in Italy
Rome, Italy - The scenario for the next days
"The weather scenario for the next days will be characterized by a perturbed phase that will mainly affect the Alps and pre-Alps, also hitting other Northern-Italian areas. Today afternoon are furthermore... more
OccurrencesClick Mexicana aircraft skids off runway due to burst tyre
San Jose Cabo, Mexico - No injuries among the passengers
A Click Mexicana Fokker 100 skidded off the runway as one of its gear tyres exploded on landing. It had taken off from Guadalajara for flight QA7476/MX7476. Luckily the Fokker ended in an area without... more
SecurityFAA to decide today on Southwest Airlines' situation
Dallas, USA - Non certified parts on the carrier's Boeing 737s
The American FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is expected to decide today on the situation of Southwest Airlines, that had been forced last week to ground some of its aircraft as they were flying... more
AccidentsAir France disaster, BEA seeks help for the researches
Paris, France - Operations will be extended internationally
The Bea, the French agency investigating on the accident that involved Air France's Airbus A-330/200 on June 1 in the Atlantic, in which 228 people were killed on board of flight AF447 from Rio de Janeiro... more
PeopleChange on top of Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Chicago, USA - Jim Albaugh will take the place of Scott Carson
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Scott Carson announced yesterday that he will retire from the company at the end of the year. Jim Albaugh, 59, will take Carson's leadership role at Boeing... more
Military aviationRobert Gates underlines the importance of the F-35 project
Fort Worth, USA - During his visit at Lockheed Martin's plant
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates yesterday visited Lockheed Martin’s final assembly operation for the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter in Fort Worth, conveying optimism for the program’s future and emp... more
AirlinesSkyEurope suspends its operations
Bratislava, Slovakia - The carrier regrets for the inconvenience caused
The press release appeared on the carrier's website in which the airline addresses to its own customers is here following: "We inform that SkyEurope has suspended its sales and operations immediately. Those... more
AirlinesSkyEurope goes bankrupt, hundreds of passengers left on the ground
Bratislava, Slovakia - No refund for those who have already purchased tickets
Slovakian low-cost airline SkyEurope filed for bankruptcy leaving hundreds of passengers on the ground in Rome, Bratislava and several other airports. Its aircraft this morning remained grounded without... more
AirlinesWork in progress at Helsinki-Vantaa airport
Milan, Italy - The next milestones will be September 15 and December 11
"On Thursday, August 27, the first part of a new € 150 million terminal at Helsinki-Vantaa has been opened. The new structure is available for long-haul passengers or for travellers flying to extra-Schengen d... more
AerospaceAn orbital space station for China
Beijing, China - Its construction will begin in 2020
China might begin the construction of its own orbital space station in 2020, as stated today by the news agency "Sina" quoting Gu Yidong, a top officer of the Asian country's manned spaceflight programme. According... more
Military aviationBoeing will realize a network for USAF's C-17 training systems
St. Louis, USA - To link 10 centers in the United States
Boeing announced today that it has received a contract from the US Air Force to deliver a C-17 Distributed Training Center (DTC) to Scott Air Force Base. Boeing will provide the ability to network 10 existing... more
ReportScheduled links restart between China and Taiwan
Beijng, China - For the first time in 60 years
For the first time in 60 years Chinese and Taiwanese airlines today started scheduled links between the two countries, following the announcements made in recent months (see AVIONEWS). The deal includes... more
Military aviationIndian Sea Harriers back to service
New Delhi, India - They had been grounded following a fatal crash
The Indian Navy carrier-based Sea Harrier fighter jets are back into service. They had been grounded following a fatal accident occurred to one of them on August 21 (see AVIONEWS). The aircraft's operations... more
AirlinesLufthansa seeks code-share agreement with JetBlue
New York, USA - To enforce its presence at New York-"JFK" airport
Lufthansa would be seeking regulators' approval to start a code-share agreement with the American airline JetBlue Airways, according yesterday's "Financial Times". With this move the German carrier would... more
DefenseItalian Navy: handover in Lebanon for UNIFIL maritime force's command
Rome, Italy - After three months
"Today, August 31, in Beirut, Italian rear admiral Ruggiero Di Biase left command of the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) maritime force in Lebanon, named Task Force 448, to German rear... more
AirlinesLufthansa-JetBlue deal submitted for approval
Cologne, Germany - It will allow to fly through the United States using New York and Boston as hubs
Confirming recent media anticipations (see AVIONEWS), the German airline Lufthansa today submitted the deal signed with JetBlue Airways for approval to the US Department of Transports. Pending authorities'... more
AerospaceAres First Stage Development Motor 1 Test
Rome, Italy - During the countdown
"The ATK and NASA investigation team continues to analyze the anomaly that occurred during the countdown for Thursday's ground test of the Ares I first stage developmental motor. The anomaly occurred... more
Fair and showsAir shows and exhibitions in the first days in September
Rome, Italy - From today on Monday August 31 to next Sunday 6
Monday 31 - "Outback Air Race 2009 to support Royal Flying Doctor Service". Continues in Australia. + 61 (0)409 385 628 www.outbackairrace.com.au - "9th FAI European Formation Skydiving Championship,... more
AerospaceIndia: contact with satellite lost
Bangalore, India - The first lunar mission of the country is over
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced Saturday that it lost contacts with the Chandrayaan-I satellite, abruptly ending the first mission to the Moon of the Asian country. Currently investigations... more
SecurityFAA AD on Boeing model 767 airplanes (2009-18-02)
Washington, Usa - To prevent possible ignition sources in the auxiliary fuel tank, main fuel tanks, and surge tanks caused by a wiring short or lightning strike, which could result in fuel tank explosions and loss of airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: (Volume 74, Number 165)] [Page 43621-43624] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more