DefenseA400M: Portugal's giving up to delay Bundestag decision

Berlin, Germany - According to Cdu/csu spokesman

For Dietrich Austermann, spokesman of Cdu/Csu party and member of the German parliament Budget commission, Portugal's choice to quit A400m European project "could likely have unforeseen consequences on... more

HelicoptersBAE Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries showed interest in the ALH project

Bangalore, India - The light helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd

The two aeronautical manufacturers British Aerospace Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries, have evinced keen interest to co-operate with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to take its advanced light helicopter... more

IndustryBell-Boeing awarded of a over 24 USDm contract

USA

Bell-Boeing Joint Program Office, Patuxent River, Md., is being awarded a $24,400,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-93-C-0006) for non-recurring engineering design... more

DefensePentagon to test today its anti-missile system

Washington, Usa - Thus truly abandoning the Abm treaty

Today in the Pacific ocean, Us Pentagon is going to test its anti-missile defence system, an exercise by which Washington will thus truly abandon the Abm treaty signed in 1972. A Us Navy missile will... more

Sport aviationFossett postpones his solo round-the-world flight attempt in a balloon

Perth, Australia - Due to bad weather conditions

The American multi-millionaire, Steve Fossett, 58, decided to postpone the launch of his balloon from Saturday to next Tuesday due to bad weather conditions. Fossett will depart from Northam, Australia,... more

AccidentsA Royal Navy helicopter plunged into the Atlantic ocean (2): a technical sheet

Rome, Italy - Westland Linx (Uk)

Type: light multi-purpose helicopter Accommodation: 1 pilot, 1 observer/gunner, 10 troops Dimensions - length: 49 ft 9 in - rotor diameter: 42 ft - height: 11 ft 6 in Weights - empty: 6040... more

AccidentsA Royal Navy helicopter plunged into the Atlantic ocean

London, Uk - Rescue teams still at work to found two of the three crew members

Yesterday a Royal Navy helicopter with three people on board crashed into the waters of the Atlantic ocean as it was coming back to the British warship HMS Richmond, 200 miles far from Us Virginia's coast.... more

DefenseOver 84,600 reservists recalled in active duty

USA -

This week, the Army and the Air Force each announce increases of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization, while the Navy and Marine Corps announces decreases of reservists. The... more

HelicoptersLybia gives 4 military helicopters to Namibia

Tripoli, Libya - Two Mi-8s and two Mi-25 Hinds

Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi's Libyan government donated 4 military helicopters to the African state of Namibia. The aircraft, two Mi-8s and two Mi-25 Hinds, have been delivered earlier this year and Namibian pilots... more

AccidentsAn Air France B777 has been forced to an emergecny landing at Hong Kong airport

Hong Kong, China - Because its left engine burst into flames

After taking off from the Hong Kong airport, an Air France Boeing 777 with 274 on board has been forced to an emergency landing. Its left engine in fact burst into flames forcing the French flight Hong... more

AirlinesStarting from yesterday Canada has a new low-fare airline: Jetsgo

Toronto, Canada - It operated its inaugurational flight Toronto-Montreal

A new budget airline flies over Canadian skies since yesterday as in fact Jetsgo took off for its maiden flight Montreal-Toronto. "Today our load factor is over 73 percent," said Michel Leblanc, the airline's... more

AccidentsThree Americans die in Afghan air crash

Washington, Usa - The MC-130H plane was carrying 10 people

Three people died when an Air Force Special Operations MC-130 carrying 10 service members crashed in eastern Afghanistan. Seven survivors were being treated for injuries ranging from a broken leg to cuts... more

AirlinesLufthansa to fight against low-fare airlines

Frankfurt, Germany - By cutting some of its domestic fares

Deutsche Lufthansa AG as to reply to the smashing results posted recently by budget airlines in Germany, opted for the adoption of a fare-cut strategy on some of its operated-by domestic links. No-frills... more

HelicoptersIsrael orders eight AH-64D Apache Longbows

McDonnell Douglas Helicopter was awarded a USD 51.8m modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for delivery of eight Longbow AH-64D, government of Israel-unique new build aircraft and all efforts associated... more

CuriositiesBoy aged 13 charges helicopter, jet purchase on internet to friend's mom

Rogers, Usa - A USD 2m worth shopping

A 13-year-old boy spent about USD 2m in a science class buying a helicopter, a jet and other items over the Internet using a password belonging to a friend's mother. The boy made the purchases on the... more

AirlinesBritish Airways versus American Express

London, Uk - After Amex threatened to stop passengers to use its card to buy tickets

Yesterday, the London-based air carrier British Airways, decided to take legal action against American Express, after the Us credit cards giant threatened to stop passengers from purchase tickets by using... more

IndustryITT Aerospace awarded of a 9 USDm contract

USA

ITT Aerospace, Communications Division, Ft. Wayne, Ind., is being awarded a $9,000,000 undefinitized contract modification to perform critical risk mitigation tasks in support of the Crosstrack Infrared... more

HelicoptersBoeing delivers 30th AH-64D Apache to Royal Netherlands Air Force

Mesa, Usa - The first AH-64D for The Netherlands was delivered in April 1998

The Royal Netherlands Air Force, or RNLAF, has accepted delivery of its 30th Boeing AH-64D Apache multirole combat helicopter in a ceremony held at Boeing in Mesa. The commander in chief of the RNLAF,... more

AirlinesVirgin Atlantic to challenge oneworld triumvirate on the kangaroo route

London, Uk - By lobbying on British government

The Richard Branson founded-by airline Virgin Atlantic Airways, is lobbying on British government to get help in its expansion plan on Asian routes. Virgin Atlantic, 49% owned by the Star Alliance member... more

PeopleEuropean flight controllers to protest next June 19

Roma, Italia - From 12pm to 4pm

The Air Traffic Control European Union Coordination (ATCEUC) calls a 4-hour strike (from 12pm to 4pm) as of next June 19. The decision has been taken to protest against the Eu project named "European single... more

AccidentsA Us unmanned spy aircraft crashed in Iran

Teheran, Iran - Washington has not confimed yet

According to Iranian sources, an unmanned spy aircraft of the Us Air Force crashed last week in the Qorveh province, (northern Iran), close to Iraqi borders. Pentagon has not yet confirmed the news spread... more

AirlinesPSA Airlines (Continental) reached an agreement with Alpa

Washington, Usa - To allow its pilots fly regional jets

The Us air carrier PSA Airlines, subsidiary of US Airways, reached an agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, according to which its pilots are allowed to operate on board regional jets. The deal... more

PeopleHard times for non-Us citizens who aim to become line pilots in America

Washington, Usa - Now they need a department of Justice authorization

Us air carriers which train non-Us citizens who want to become line pilots must now obtain a special authorization by the department of Justice. This rule is part of the regulation Us Congress enacted... more

AirlinesRyanair could beat Lufthansa in Germany

Frankfurt, Germany - And keep on calling its German hub Frankfurt-Hahn

Dublin-based no-frills airline Ryanair, after Cologne Court of Appeals decided to overturn Lufthansa injuction to stop Ryanair to call its Hahn-based German hub Frankfurt-Hahn, could beat its powerful... more

AirlinesBirthday in Cyprus for people born in June

Rome, Italy - Promotional campaign of Cyprus Airways

Cyprus Airways offers to people born in June a return flight ticket Rome-Larnaca at the promotional price of EUR 10. This fare is sold only jointly with a full ticket fare (minimum EUR 319) until the... more

AerospaceDaniel Bursch and Carl Walz set the new record of stay in the space

Cape Canaveral, Usa - By surpassing Shannon Lucid

The two American astronauts Daniel Bursch e Carl Walz, on board the International Space Station since last December, broke Shannon Lucid stay-in-the-space record (188 days and 4 hours), set in 1988. The... more

IndustryBoeing delivered a B737-800 to Air Astana

Seattle, Usa - The British-Kazakh air carrier

Seattle-based aeronautical manufacturer Boeing delivered a B737-800 to Air Astana, the air carrier partly owned by Kazakhstan government and partly by the British constructor BAE Systems. Last month the... more

AirlinesChautauqua Airlines to become Delta Connection's partner in Florida

Washington, Usa - After the closing down of Comair's hub operation in Orlando

The Us carrier Delta Air Lines, after its decision to close down Comair's hub operation in Orlando, selected Chautauqua Airlines as its new code-share partner in Florida. The operation is part of Delta... more

Science and technologyBomb alarm at Moscow airport

Moscow, Russia - After an anonymous call

After an anonymous phone call warning of a bomb, Moscow airport of Sheremetyevo 2 was partially evacuated yesterday. Police agents with the help of specially-trained dogs searched the terminal but they... more

AirlinesAir France May passenger traffic down 4% year-on-year

Paris, France - Long haul traffic fell 2.7% over the period

Groupe Air France said passenger traffic in May fell 4% to 8 billion revenue passenger kilometres compared with the same period in 2001. It said the figures were severely effected by several long holiday... more

Press releaseContinental Airlines announces airport service enhancements for peak summer travel

Houston, Usa - Carrier expects faster check-in, fewer airport delays for customers

"Flying this summer? With Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), the experience may never have been easier. Airport customer service: Continental is adding more than 100 summer service ambassadors at its hubs... more

Sport aviationFossett ready for new round-the world solo non-stop trip in balloon

Perth, Australia - His seventh attempt

American multi-millionaire Steve Fossett will reach tomorrow Northam, Australia, where he is supposed to take off at the end of this week for his seventh attempt to fly solo round-the-world non-stop in... more

IndustryAero Vodochody to conquer India's Defence market

Prague, Czech Republic - By the sale of hundreds of trainer aircraft

Aero Vodochody, the aeronautical manufacturer partly owned by Boeing and partly by the Czech government, is now competing with its rival British Aerospace, to win a contract worth USD 7bn to supply Prague... more

PeopleUk low-fare airlines registered smashing results in May

London, Uk - The number of their passengers raised strongly

In May, British budget airlines EasyJet and Go posted both smashing results in the number of passengers they flew, as a clear signal of the increasing growth of low-fare sector in Europe, most at expenses... more

AirlinesQantas adds Los Angeles flights

Sydney, Australia - From 1 July

According to a press release by Qantas, the Australian air carrier "will introduce two additional return flights each week from Brisbane to Los Angeles via Auckland from 1 July, taking the total number... more

Press releaseRolls-Royce wins USD 178m AE 3007 engine business with Chautauqua

London, Uk - To power Us carrier 22 Embraer ERJ

"Rolls-Royce announced today that it has received US$127 million dollars worth of firm AE 3007 engine business for Embraer regional jets to be operated by Indianapolis based Chautauqua Airlines under contract... more

AirlinesFrench troubles for EasyJet

Toulouse, France - Go Voyages could hamper its use of the Easy and Go brands across Europe

Europe's larger no-frills air carrier EasyJet-Go, could shortly face serious troubles if Go Voyages, a French tour operator, will stick to its decision to hamper its use of the Easy and Go brands across... more

AirlinesLufthansa and Shanghai Airlines signed a MOU to cooperate on passenger services

Frankfurt, Germany - "A very important development in Lufthansa's partner strategy"

According to what has been announced yesterday, the air carriers Lufthansa and Shangai Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to start a co-operation on passengers services. For Fan Hongxi,... more

IndustryLitton Systems awarded of over 7 USDm contract

USA

Litton Systems Inc., Guidance and Control Systems Division, Woodland Hills, Calif., is being awarded a $7,589,527 contract to provide for Inertial Navigation System, Ring Laser Gyro for the F-16 Peace... more

IndustryBoeing awarded of a over 11 USDm contract

USA

Boeing Service Co. Richardsonn Texas is being awarded an $1115433238 contract to provide for Multiple Space Vehicle MLV-055 The Integration Contractor will integrate the individual spacecraft and Evolved... more

IndustryNorthrop awarded of a near 13 USDm contract

USA

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill. is being awarded a $12,855,963 contract modification to provide for large aircraft infrared countermeasures C-130 group A development. The locations... more

IndustryRohr awarded of a 250 USDm contract

USA

Rohr Inc., Goodrich Aeronautics Group, Chula Vista, Calif., is being awarded a $250,000,000 contract to provide for 12 line items of F-15 flight control spare parts manufactured using patent Gridlock technology.... more

AirlinesAir Dolomiti to expand its code-share agreement with Austrian Airlines

Verona, Italy - One of its Star Alliance partners

As announced last week, the Italian air carrier Air Dolomiti is going to expand its code-share agreement with Austrian Airlines. So after the recently signed agreement with United Airlines and the strenghtening... more

AirlinesUS Airways needs USD 1bn to rise again

Washington, Usa - And thus it filed for a federal loan guarantee of USD 900m

US Airways, the American air carrier that from September 11 to May 31 posted a net loss of USD 1,425bn, filed for a federal loan guarantee of USD 900m out "of a USD 1 bn loan that the airline will use... more

AerospaceISS: the first space walk completed successfully

Cape Canaveral, Usa - "It's an amazing experience"

"It has been an amazing experience to me. I felt like flying up side down above the Earth", said Franklin Chang-Diaz, the Us astronaut who, together with his French fellow Philippe Perin, yesterday completed... more

Press releaseContinental Airlines announces service between Richmond and Houston

Richmond, Usa - As of November 1

"Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that it would inaugurate twice daily, nonstop service from Richmond, Va., to Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport beginning November 1. The service... more

IndustryBoeing and Siemens to take care of the 438 Us civil airports

Washington, Usa - After being awarded by DOT

Boeing and Siemens have been awarded by the Us Department of Transportation (DOT) of a USD 1,37bn worth contract to install and mantain the Explosive Detection Sistems in the 438 Us civil airports. The... more

IndustryEmbraer to fly Chautauqua Airlines' passengers

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil - On 22 of its aircraft

The Brasilian aeronautical manufacturer Embraer signed a contract to supply Us airline Chautauqua Airlines with 22 of its produced-by aircraft. The planes, 15 ERJ 135s and 7 E145s, are worth USD 350m.... more

Civil aviationUs investigators thwarted a potential terror attack

Washington, Usa - By the arrest of the terrorist

Us investigators thwarted a probable terror attack in the Us by capturing its potential executor, an al-Qaeda member. For general attorney John Ashcroft, the man involved, Abdullah Al Mujahir, was building... more

AirlinesVG Airlines won a licence to operate flights between Brussels and Los Angeles

Brussels, Belgium - To fly one million of Armens in California

The Belgian air carrier VG Airlines has won the concession to operate links between Brussels and Los Angeles. Thanks to this new route, according to Freddy Van Gaever, airline founder, VG Airlines, by... more