HelicoptersAgustaWestland looks for further partner in EH101 US program

Cascina Costa, Varese, Italy

AgustaWestland is looking for a new partner to add to its US101 helicopter programme in time for the Farnborough airshow in July, the company says. According to Giuseppe Orsi, AgustaWestland sales and... more

AirlinesLast flights for Ansett

Sidney, Australia - Virgin Blue to employ 1000 of Ansett ex workers

Bankrupted Australian airline Ansett operated yesterday its last flights. Air carrier management is ready to sell 133 aircraft, 10 milions of spare components and several facilities in Melbourne. Once... more

AirlinesLufthansa to re-employ aircraft stopped after September 11th

Berlin, Germany - 26 planes to take-off before the end of March

Lufthansa, the German flag air carrier, will re-employ part of the fleet stopped after post September 11th international air sector crisis. 26 of 42 aircraft, thanks to demand recovery in flights towards... more

PeopleRussia threat increase of tariffs against EU aircraft

Moscow - This seems a retaliation against EU anti noise rules

According to Russian aviation officials a tariff increase for European Union aircraft flying in its airspace could occur if a compromise is not reached over the new EU noise pollution standards. This... more

AirlinesBritish Airways to quit its German division

London, Uk - In order to reduce costs

British Airways is likely to quit Deutsche Ba (Dba), its German division to reduce its cost structure. Roger Maynard, Dba president and British Airways investments and alliances manager in fact, confirmed... more

Science and technologyProblems for U.S airport to "seat" the Airbus A-380

USA - Over 2 USDbn needed to modify 14 airports in Usa, according GAO

According to General Accounting Office, GAO, the modification needed in 14 of the U.S. major airports in order to receive the new air giant Airbus A-380, would attain 2,1 USDbn. Airbus, from its side,... more

IndustryAirbus vs. Boeing for the new millennium tanker

Toulose - 20-USDbn budget approved by Congress

With a 20-Usdbn budget, the acquisition of 100 tanker aircraft for the U.S. Air force would promise to be a very interesting bid for Boeing and French aeronautical industry Airbus. Boeing will present... more

AirlinesAir Lib versus Unions

Paris, France - Strike post-poned

Foreseen for the early morning of today, Air Lib hostesses and stewards Unions strike has been post-poned to midday. According to Sylvie Guillou-Faure, Cgt union spokeswoman, the choice has been taken... more

Airlines"Swiss" on sale

Basilea, Switzerland - An unknown but "seriuos" pretender for its acquisition

Hard times for Swiss, the new Helvetic airline born from the bankrupted Swissair, as a new charter carrier named Air Switzerland is ready to challenge in the Helvetic skies, and, according to SonntagsBlick,... more

IndustryRaytheon System awarded a over 11 USDm contract

USA

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded an $11,618,768 firm-fixed-price contract for production of 18 MK-49 Guided Missile Launching System modification kits (ORDALT) for the Rolling Airframe... more

DefenseIsraeli attack to Gaza

Jerusalem, Israel - F-16 and Apaches in action

As retaliation against 5 Israeli people killed in the last hours by Palestinian forces, Tel Aviv governement Apache helicopters attacked Rafah, while F-16 fighters flew on the city of Gaza. (m/cesn) more

PeopleMineta: no firearms in cockpits

USA - Transport ministry goes back

THe U.S. transport ministry decided to not allow pilot to carry firearms on board. Transport minister, Norman Mineta said that it could be allowed "not deadly weapons". Pilots are strongly pressing government... more

IndustryBell-Boeing Program Office awarded a over 19 USDm contract

USA

The Bell-Boeing Program Office, Patuxent River, Md., is being awarded a $19,000,000 contract to provide the activities required to modify four V-22 aircraft to a safe return to flight configuration... more

IndustryLockheed Martin awarded a over 33 USDm contract

USA

Lockheed Martin Mission and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $33,522,289 firm-fixed-price contract to provide for multiple spare parts applicable to the AAQ-13/14. The targeting pod displays... more

AirlinesAustrian Airlines to promote Jordan capital

Milan, Italy - New promotions to visit Amman, Unesco 2002 culture capital

As Amman has been designated Culture capital of the Arab world by Unesco, Austrian Airlines decided to offer a bi-weekly Wien-Amman link, operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a promotion which includes... more

Latest newsUs helicopter crashed this morning (2)

Kabul, Afghanistan - It was shot down

According on what Us defense officials told Nbc News, the Us Army helicopter crashed this morning in eastern Afghanistan was shot down. Of the combat troops aboard the Chinook CH-47, 6 soldiers have been... more

AccidentsUs helicopter crash in Afghanistan: was it shot down?

Kabul, Afghanistan - Perhaps ten victims

According to a famous Us television channel, the Us Army helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan, has been probably shot down by Al Qaida forces. The incident could have caused ten victims.... more

AccidentsUs F-14 plummetted in the Mediterranean sea

Washington, Usa - One of the two pilots found dead

According to Us Navy official sources, a F-14 with two pilots on board crashed yesterday in the Mediterranean sea soon after the take off from the Uss Jfk. Both the pilots were able to eject themselves... more

AccidentsHelicopter crash in India

New Delhi, India - Indian Chamber of deputies president died in the incident

G.M.C. Balayogi, Indian Chamber of Deputies president, died yesterday in an helicopter crash. The aircraft soon after take-off from the city of Bhimavaram hit a tree because of the fog. A part from Mr.... more

Civil aviationSeptember 11th terrorist attacks

Washington, Usa - 9 of the 19 hijackers checked before tragedy

According to what the Washigton Post stated, 9 of the 19 hijackers of the 4 planes involved in World Trade Center and Pentagon disasters, have been checked at the airport before embarking. This shocking... more

DefenseAir attack in Afghanistan

Islamabad, Pakistan - Us warplanes bombed Khost airport

Last night Us Air Force aircraft bombed areas in the surroundings of Khost airport, in eastern Afghanistan. American forces, whose attack occurred after some unkown guerrilla men shot on to the airport... more

Civil aviationBomb alarm on a Russian airplane

Moscow, Russia - Inquirers investigate

A bomb alarm on a Russian aircraft departed from Yuznho-Sakhalinsk and heading to Moscow, forced pilot to come back to Sakhalin Island, eastern Russia. Inquirers, after no explosive was found aboard,... more

AccidentsTourism aircraft incident in Lincolnishire

London, Uk - Only light injuries for the people on board

A small tourism airplane departed from Rufforth bumped on a pylon after landing in Sandoft airport, in the surroundings of Belton (Lincolnshire). The two people aboard, a 76 years old passenger and the... more

AirlinesBritish Airways adopt a new booking system

London, Uk - Its name is 'Amadeus'

British Airways adopted 'Amadeus', the booking system already 30% sector market holder. "'Amadeus' introduction implies 48.190 booking computers and 200 linked systems to be not connected for 4 hours",... more

AirlinesLufthansa to augment its flights to Usa

Frankfurt, Germany - Starting from March 31st

After post September 11th strong reduction, Lufthansa, German flag airline, starting from March 31st, will increase its to Usa routes. Munchen-Usa and Frankfurt-Usa links will see a 40% boost. Even though... more

PeopleEuropean union support to airlines

Brussels, Belgium - A meeting tomorrow

After Washington decision, European union Finance ministries will likely decide to extend their role as insurance grantor for European airlines. Tomorrow a decision is supposed to be taken in Brussels.... more

DefenseIsraeli fighters got into Lebanese fly zone

Beirut, Lebanon - It occurred this morning

This morning at 10am (Gmt), two Israeli Armed forces fighters penetrated in the Lebanon skies, in the southern region of the country. So ten days after first and last incursion, occurred last February... more

IndustryCitation Sovereign finally ready to fly

Wichita, Usa - No problems in the first test flight

Latest Cessna Aircraft produced-by airplane, Citation Sovereign, took-off Wednesday for its first test flight from the Wichita airport. Acording to Wayne Spriggs, one of the test pilots, the Pratt&Whitney... more

AerospaceRussia to present the first tourism spacecraft

Moscow, Russia - Official presentation next March 14th

Next March 14th, Russia will present at the Jukovskij aerospace show, its new S-XXI, the first tourism spacecraft for sub-orbital flights. (m/cesn) more

AerospaceAriane-5 is back

Kourou, Guyana - Envisat blessed it

Departed from aerospace base in Kourou (French Guyane), Envisat, the European largest and most expensive satellite ever, thanks to Ariane-5 propulsion is now in orbit at 800 km from the Earth. Envisat... more

AirlinesLufthansa to serve Italian "awarded" food

Piacenza, Italia - Italian chef for German carrier passengers

Filippo Chiappini Dattilo, recently awarded as "Chef of the year", will cook for both Lufthansa first and business classes his exquisite food. No worries for the 250.000 some German carrier flying-eaters... more

IndustryBoeing Helicopters awarded a near 23 USDm contract

USA

Boeing Helicopters, Ridley Park, Pa., is being awarded a $22,941,666 firm-fixed-price contract to purchase 50 re-manufactured transmissions used to support H-46 helicopters. Work is expected to be completed... more

IndustryRaytheon System awarded a over 11 USDm contract

USA

Raytheon Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded an $11,459,736 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract to exercise an option for Low Rate Initial Production for the Sidewinder... more

DefenseItalian "Spartans" go to Greece

Athens, Greece - A good business for Alenia

The Greek government, despite the austerity period, which caused several military procurements deletion, decided to buy twelve C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft made by Italian aeronautical industry... more

IndustrySnecma creates a new company for missiles engines

Bordeaux, France - The name of the factory is Snecma Propulsion Solide

The French engine industry Snecma Moteurs has inaugurated officially its new subsidiary SPS, Snecma Propulsion Solide, which will be devoted to development of missiles engines with solid propellant. These... more

IndustryNorthrop Grumman awarded a near 30 USDm contract

USA

Northrop Grumman Corp., Integrated Systems, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $29,712,456 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract to exercise an option for procurement of 109... more

AccidentsEmergency landing for an Air Algerie Boeing

illizi, Algeria - Troubles to left engine

Left engine troubles forced yesterday an Air Algerie Boeing 737 to an emergency landing at the Illizi airport, in Algeria. No one of the passengers aboard were injured even though the right tyre exploded... more

AerospaceColumbia took off this morning

Cape Canaveral, Usa - 7 astronauts to improve the Hubble

After a 24hours delay for atmospheric reasons, Columbia shuttle took off this morning at 06.22 (local time) from Nasa Cape Canaveral base in Florida. Mission, which is going to take 11 days, will see... more

AirlinesLTU hopes for a new majority shareholder

Frankfurt - The charter airline in difficulties after Swissair slowdown

German charter LTU, the second in Germany, declared that it hope to found, for June or July, a new majority shareholder, as it is in serious difficulties after the near-failing of Swissair. According to... more

HelicoptersKazan exposes at Singapore its "economic" helos

Singapore - They cost about an half of western "equivalents"

At Asian Aerospace 2002, ex-Soviet helicopter industry Kazan exposed two on its "economical" helicopters. One is the Mi-172 helicopter which was a modification of the well known Mi-17. Three helicopters... more

AirlinesSwissair-Crossair: duel among the mountains

Zurich, Switzerland - Justice asked to decide on "Swiss" logo

Bankruptcy Swissair Group, asked Swiss Justice to deny Crossair to use "Swiss" logo as property rights violation. (m/cesn) more

Civil aviationTerrorism alarm on board of a Air India 747-400

New York, Usa - Al Qaida supporter suspected to be on the flight

Terrorism alarm on board of an Air India flight departed from London to New York as one of the 378 passengers seemed to be one of the Fbi registered terrorist suspects. The plane, a Boeing 747-400, after... more

HelicoptersTwo MD Explorers excel on offshore oil work in Indonesia

Singapore

Two MD Explorers operated by Airfast Indonesia have logged 500 hours and an impressive 99 percent reliability rate performing offshore oil missions over the Java Sea. The helicopters are flying seven... more

Press releaseKey milestones built on Rolls-Royce helicopters engines success

Rolls-Royce achieved a range of key business and product milestones in the last year that have further strengthened the company's position as supplier of the broadest range of turboshaft engines for helicopters,... more

DefenseAecc inaugurated yesterday in Eindhoven

Eindhoven, Netherlands - The Cell will co-ordinate European air military transport

Aecc, European Airlift Co-ordination Cell, has been inaugurated yesterday in Eindhoven by Eag, European Air Group. The new authority will co-ordinate Eag members air military transport. Founded in 1995,... more

IndustryPilkington Aerospace awarded a over 7 USDm contract

USA

Pilkington Aerospace, Inc., Garden Grove, Calif., is being awarded a $7,372,868 firm-fixed price with indefinite quantity delivery type contract for multiple NSN's for movable canopies for the U.S. Navy.... more