DefenseBush and Putin signed an historic agreement

Moscow, Russia - For a two-third cut in their strategic nuclear forces

Today Vladimir Putin and George W.Bush, respectively Russian and Us president, signed the historic agreement by which countries' strategic nuclear weapons are going to be cut by roughly two-thirds over... more

HelicoptersSan Francesco police experiences difficulties for helos use

San Francisco, USA

Unlike the police departments in other major cities, San Francisco's Police Department doesn't still have a helicopter. Or, at least, it has a helicopter -- for now -- but the helicopter doesn't... more

IndustryWescam looks for a buyer

USA

Wescam Inc, the Burlington, Ontario-based seller of surveillance equipment said yesterday that it has hired Quarterdeck Investment Partners LLC to look at strategic business alternatives, including... more

Latest newsRoyal Air Force to delay Eurofighter 2000 utilization

London, Uk - "To equip the aircraft with the more advanced technologies"

The British Royal Air Force will delay the utilization of the European-made by combat aircraft Eurofighter 2000. This decision, for London government Defence ministry, has been taken in order have the... more

HelicoptersTajikistan receives two "complimentary" helos from India

New Delhi, India

India's Defense Ministry has presented two military helicopters as a gift to the Tajik Defence Ministry. The first deputy defence minister and head of the General Staff of the Tajik armed forces, Ramil... more

HelicoptersUS Navy’s new MH-60S fails tests

Washington, USA

The U.S. Navy’s new Sikorsky MH-60S helicopter received a ‘not effective’ grade at the end of its OPEVAL tests last week for failing to meet a critical fuel endurance target. But, says Capt Bill Shann... more

DefenseUkraine wants to become a member of Nato

Kiev, Ukraine - Official announcement next July 9

According to Ukraine Chief of Staff of Defence Yevhen Marchuk, ex Ussr republic president Leonid Kuchma is likely to sign a formal request to enter Nato. "It's crucial to develop a long-term strategy,... more

Weather forecastsSuccess of the ILA2002 gives a boost to the aviation and space industries

Berlin, Germany - More trade visitors and extensive media interest

The signing of contracts, the finalizing of business arrangements and joint venture agreements worth billions, increased numbers of trade visitors from Germany and abroad, and many more members of the... more

Latest newsUs Air Force fighters bombed Iraqi anti-aircraft posts

Washington, Usa - Two people killed

Us Air Force combat aircraft bombed Iraqi military posts located in the southern region of Iraq. At about 1.15pm (local time)Us fighters launched several missiles against both an anti-aircraft post and... more

PeopleALPA and FedEx Pilots Association to merge

Washington, Usa - Agreement will go into effect June 1

Us Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) executive board ratified the merger process with FedEx Pilots Association. The deal, which is going into effect as of next June 1, will see full transfer of representational... more

AirlinesBarclays Capital to finance Qatar Airways's aircraft

London, Uk - 4 Airbus A330-200s

Middle East based air carrier Qatar Airways signed an agreement with Barclays Capital to finance the acquistion of 4 Airbus A330-200s. A part from the plane already delivered last week, the remaining aircraft... more

AccidentsTourism aircraft vanished over Polinesian skies

Papeete, Polinesia - 5 people on board

A tourism aircraft with 5 people on board, a pilot and 4 passengers, vanished over the skies of the Tuamotu islands, Polinesia. Local civil aviation authorities promptly set up rescue operations to discover... more

AirlinesDelta Air Lines to operate Johannesburg-Lusaka in code-share with South African Airways

Washington, Usa - As of June 1

Starting from next June 1, the Us air carrier Delta Air Lines will start operate Johannesburg-Lusaka flights in code-share with South African Airways (SAA). The new service will be operated on board of... more

Science and technologyHeathrow heist: 3 of the 12 people arrested remanded in custody

London, Uk - Two more are due to make court appearances later today

Three of the twelve people arrested in London to days ago by Scotland Yard in connection with the theft of USD 3,6m at London's Heathrow airport last March 19, were today remanded in custody by a UK court.... more

IndustryFAA Proposes $764,250 fine Against Boeing Commercial Airplane Group

Washington, USA

The FAA has proposed to assess a $764,250 civil penalty against the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. The proposed penalty is for violating FAA regulations, particularly for failures to maintain... more

Science and technologyHmshost: contract extension at LA airport

Rome, Italy - It also awarded two contracts at Newark airport

Hmshost Corporation, the world's largest provider of food, beverage and retail concessions in the travel industry, has received a 2.5-year contract extension at Los Angeles international airport. The extended... more

AccidentsThe September 11 hijackers used navigation tools to pinpoint Wtc site

New York, Usa - The Gps devices were bought months before

The leader of the September 11 hijackers visited the World Trade Center days before the attack to obtain coordinates for a navigation device, law enforcement officials now believe. Mohamed Atta, who led... more

IndustryFAA proposes $222,300 fine against the New Piper Aircraft Company (TNPA)

Washington, USA

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $222,300 civil penalty against The New Piper Aircraft Company (TNPA), after it was discovered that the company failed to properly maintain its approved... more

AirlinesAmerican Airlines would be fined 247.500 USD by FAA for sending dangerous material without notice

Washington, USA

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed to fine for 247,500 USD civil penalty against American Airlines for offering an unmarked oxygen generator, classified as hazardous material, to Federal... more

PeopleMexico to re-open the controversial sale of the nation's two leading airlines

Mexico City, Mexico - Aeromexico and Mexicana

Mexico City government, by the exploitation of the recovery signals registered recently in the air industry, is likely to re-open the controversial question of the privatization of the country's two leading... more

PeopleAircraft phone installation plan defined "too complicated"

Transport security officials in the US said today that they would not pursue the idea of giving airline passengers an emergency toll free phone facility onboard planes as it was too complicated. An earlier... more

PeopleDifferent checks called for flight crew

Washington, USA

The security checks for flight crews are flawed, according to one of the leading carriers in the US. Current airport screening methods are described in a report as "inconsistent, cumbersome and operationally... more

PeopleGerman Bundestag says yes to air traffic treaty with Switzerland

Berlin, Germany - Now it's time for Bern to ratify the agreement

Last Friday the German lower house of Parliament, the Bundestag, gave its ok for the ratification of the treaty on air traffic movements over southern Germany skies for flights to and from Zurich. Now... more

AirlinesCourt upholds Air Lib's claim against Crossair

Paris, France - The French air carrier claims nearly EUR 61m

Air Lib announced that the Commercial Court of Paris has upheld its claim that Crossair - now part of swiss - which changes its name to Swiss International Air Lines on July 1, is obliged to pay debts... more

AirlinesTAP down but recovering after first quarter

Lisbo, Portugal - A net loss of EUR 45.5m

TAP Air Portugal reported a net loss of EUR 45.5m for the first quarter ended March 31 compared to a loss of EUR 63.3m last year. Operating revenues increased 1.2% to EUR 254.7m and operating expenses... more

AccidentsFirecrackers found in lavatory of United Airlines jet

Hong Kong, China - They were too small to cause any major damage

Seven firecrackers were discovered in the lavatory of a United Airlines jet that flew from Chicago to Hong Kong with 335 people aboard, but they were too small to have caused any major damage if they had... more

AccidentsNigeria's Airlines protest against BAC 1-11s stop

Dagos, Nigeria - Established after last May 4th 148-dead air tragedy

The stop to all BAC 1-11s aircraft, decided after last May 4th 148-dead air incident by Dagos government, is likely to be challenged by the country's air operators of the AON, Airline Operators of Nigeria.... more

IndustryRaytheon awarded of a near 6 USDm contract

USA

Raytheon Technical Services Co., doing business as L3 Communications, Link Simulation and Training, Arlington, Texas, is being awarded a $5,964,687 firm-fixed-price task order against a previously awarded... more

IndustryBell Helicopter awarded of a 6 USDm contract

USA

Bell Helicopter Textron, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $6,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract to purchase 16 main rotor hubs used to support H-1 helicopters. Work will be performed in Fort Worth... more

IndustryLockheed Martin awarded of near 500 USDm contract

USA

Lockheed Martin Corp., Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $498,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract modification. This is an amendment to the existing letter contract that was issued November 16, 2001.... more

PeopleSerious troubles for UK NATS

London, Great Britain

Difficulties in reading text on a computer screen of the NATS British air traffic control, led a controller to send a plane to Glasgow in Scotland instead of the Welsh capital, Cardiff Other errors include... more

AirlinesSobelair's pilots want to chose air carrier's new buyer

Brussels, Belgium - The Belgian charter carrier is involved in Sabena's bankruptcy

Sobelair's pilots have affirmed that they want to take part to the choice of the carter carrier's new buyer by a referendum. Sobelair is a Sabena's subsidiary, involved in the bankruptcy of its parent... more

Science and technologyGunman wounds 2 people at New Orleans airport

New Orleans, Usa - He opened fire because people made fun of his turban

A man fired a shotgun inside the New Orleans airport and wounded two people yesterday, telling investigators that he opened fire because people made fun of his turban. The shotgun blast wounded an airline... more

HelicoptersCHC Scotia will lease an S61 helicopter to Irish Air Corps

Ireland

Irish Air Corps is to lease an S61 from CHC Scotia for SAR ops from its base at Finner, in the north-west of Ireland. The helicopter will serve as an interim SAR solution while the wrangle over the IAC's... more

AirlinesMore legroom on Klm business class

Amsterdam, Netherlands - New menu aboard

Dutch carrier Klm has 40% more legroom in its new business class seating and has improved its menus. (004) more

HelicoptersSlovakia will modernize its combat helicopters

Bratislava, Slovakia

The Slovak parliament approved yesterday a document draft intergovernmental agreement between Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland on cooperation in the modernization of Mi-24 helicopters... more

HelicoptersQuery on helicopter repair tender in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand

First choice dumped after new bids called Wassana Nanuam and Wut Nontarit An opposition MP brandished confidential air force papers at yesterday's censure debate to support power abuse accusations against... more

PeopleMay 28th Nato summit: "air marshalls" on board airliners

Rome, Italy - Enac commanded "Notan"

In view of next May 28th Nato summit at Pratica di Mare (Rome), Enac, the Italian civil aviation administration, decided to command 'Notan' measure. "'Notan'", as explained by Enac director general Pierluigi... more

HelicoptersTroubles for UK Navy helicopters

London, Great Britain

Serious failings in the management of Britain's military helicopters are having a "severe" impact on their availability for operations, the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed. During last... more

AccidentsSeptember 11th: the fourth plane, crashed in Pennsylvania, was heading against the White House

New York, Usa - According to Abu Zubaydahun

According to Abu Zubaydahun, a terrorist under interrogation, the fourth aircraft, which hijacked by Bin Laden supporters last September 11th crashed in Pennsylvania, was heading against the White House... more

PeopleBush in Berlin

Berlin, Germany - Where he is going to start his European tour

Us president George W.Bush's Air Force One landed yesterday at the Berlin airport. After Germany, Bush will visit Russia, Italy and France as well. (m/cesn) more

Latest newsIsraeli helicopter shot missiles on a refugee camp in Nablus

Nablus, Palestina - Three Palestinians killed

An Israeli Air Force helicopter launched missiles against a refugee camp in the surroundings of Nablus, Palestina. The attack, according to local sources a "targeted murder", killed three Palestinians.... more

AirlinesCSA Czech Airlines: first quarter 2002 "economic result" better than foreseen

Prague, Czech Republic - By USD 300.000

According to carrier itself, in the first quarter of 2002 the Eastern European-based Csa Czech Airlines posted an "economic result" USD 300.000 better than forecasts. Always in the quarter ended last March... more

AirlinesAir Mediterranee leased two Airbus A321-100s

Lourdes, France - From ILFC, for five years

The Lourdes-based air carrier Air Mediterranee leased from International Lease and Finance Corporation two Airbus A321-100s for next years. The CFM56-5B1/2 powered-by aircraft are supposed to delivered... more

AirlinesJAS-JAL to present board of directors and senior executives of Japan Airlines System

Tokyo, Japan - The new holding born to oversee the integration of the two carriers

The two "empire of the rising sun" air carriers Japan Airlines (JAL) and Japan Air System (JAS) presented the board of directors and senior executives of Japan Airlines System, the holding company created... more

CuriositiesElle MacPherson does not like blue

London, Uk - The Australian model and actress starring on a Qantas flight

The Australian model and actress, Elle MacPherson, acted like "a proper star" last week on the Qantas flight from London to Sydney. She was given a sort of pyjamas to face the long-time flight in a more... more

AirlinesLufthansa's new BBJ service between Duesseldorf-Newark will be given a year to prove itself

Frankfurt, Germany - Anyway the carrier "is pretty optimistic"

Frankfurt-based air carrier Lufthansa decided to give its new all-business-class service between Duesseldorf and Newark a year to prove itself. The service will be operated under a wet lease with PrivatAir,... more

HelicoptersTwo Us helicopters rescued two crew members on board a yacht

London, Uk - 400 miles far off Cornwall coasts

Yesterday two Us Jolly Green Giant helicopters of the Suffolk Air Force base rescued two injured crew members from a stricken British yacht in mountainous Atlantic seas, 400 miles far off Cornwall coasts.... more

IndustryBoeing expects a slow recover

New York, USA

According to Phil Condit, president and CEO of Boeing Aerospace, is expected a very slow recover of the industry, despite indications about an "encouraging" result on industrial production. Condit admitted... more

DefenseCanada recalls its troops from Afghanistan

Ottawa, Canada

According to the Canadian defense minister, Art Eggleton, Canada will recall its troops from Afghanistan, for a total of 850 men, in the month of August. Eggleton said that this decision is not linked... more