AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,286 news found
UAS-DronesUnmanned airplanes. More drones over French nuclear plants
Paris, France - After the cases recorded in October other flights were detected during the week-end and on Monday
Other Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been seen flying over French nuclear plants. Yesterday, November 3 at 7:00 pm local time, a drone was detected over the decommissioning facility of Creys-Malville,... more
Civil aviationAircraft and transport. IATA: strong passenger growth continues in September
Geneva, Switzerland - “The three big stories in September were Europe, Russia and India", said <b>Tony Tyler</b>, its DG and CEO
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for September showing demand growth of 5.3% (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) over September... more
Finance and economyAirplanes and finance. Aena raises doubts on its own board of directors
Madrid, Spain - After the suspension of the initial public offering the company fears conflict of interests among its new partners
The suspension of Aena’s initial public offering (for details see AVIONEWS) raised doubts over the validity of the new board of directors, which in its October 17 meeting included representatives of i... more
UAS-DronesUkraine: anti-aircraft rounds against Osce unmanned helicopter
Vienna, Austria - The drone had detected military vehicles in the Donetsk region
Anti-aircraft rounds were shot against an Osce Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) on November 2 in Ukraine. The same Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe gave the news from its headquarters... more
Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: alert on the most part of the Country
Rome, Italy - An orange criticality today on the North-West and on Friuli-Venezia Giulia
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of available forecasts, issued an additional bulletin for unfavourable weather conditions. It integrates and extends that one already diffused for Liguria... more
AirlinesAirplanes and policies. The French government takes measures to relaunch national air carriers’ competitiveness
Paris, France - Airlines may not pay the “Chirac tax” anymore. Air France would save 70 million Euros a year
The president of the socialist group at the Assemblée Nationale (the French chamber of deputies) Bruno Le Roux presented today a series of proposals to boost national carriers’ competitiveness to the Pr... more
Finance and economyAirplanes and finance. Aena privatizations: foreign investors do not trust official explanations
Madrid, Spain - There could be political matters behind the alleged technical problems
Investment banks coordinating Aena initial public offering explained the cancellation of its presentation to institutional investors with the need to choose a new auditor to prepare the comfort letter... more
PeopleAEA appoints Mildred Trögeler as General Manager Technical & Operations
Brussels, Belgium - She takes over from Vincent De Vroey
The Association of European Airlines today announced that Mildred Trögeler has been appointed to the post of General Manager Technical & Operations. Mildred takes over from Vincent De Vroey who is moving... more
IndustryPoland orders Airbus C-295 Full-Flight Simulator
Seville, Spain - The agreement includes the associated training for the instructors and maintenance technicians of the PAF
Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence of Poland to provide a full flight simulator (FFS) for the Polish Air Force’s Airbus C-295 aircraft fleet. The FFS will b... more
CargoAircraft and transport. Iata: cargo growth continues to accelerate in September
Geneva, Switzerland - Volumes rose 5.2%; capacity grew by 3.8%
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing an acceleration of demand in September. Measured by freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), volumes rose... more
UAS-DronesUnmanned airplanes. China develops an anti-drone laser
Beijing, China - The device can shoot down a light UAV flying at 180 km/h at a 2 km distance
China developed a laser that can shoot down a light Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying at 180 km/h in a 2 km range, five seconds after detecting it. “Xinhua”, the official press agency of the People’s Repub... more
Military aviationCanadian airplanes drop bombs near Fallujah in their first anti-Isis mission
Kuwait City, Kuwait - Ottawa’s government contribution to the international coalition includes six fighters, two maritime patrol aircraft and one tanker
Defence ministry Rob Nicholson declared that Canadian airplanes did their first anti-Isis mission in Iraq on Sunday November 2. The ministry did not say which objectives were hit and added the military... more
AerospaceAirplanes and space. First hypothesis on SpaceshipTwo accident
Los Angeles, USA - Two devices placed on the tail were activated earlier than expected
The National Transportation Safety Board, a US government agency investigating on transportation accidents, communicated the first elements collected in the investigation over the SpaceshipTwo disaster.... more
PeopleEtihad Airways enhances European corporate affairs presence with key appointment
Abu Dhabi, UAE - It is Eszter Ungar as its Head of Corporate Affairs for the region
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is enhancing its capabilities in Europe with the appointment of Eszter Ungar as its Head of Corporate Affairs for the region. Ms Ungarjoins... more
IndustryBoeing: Monarch Airlines finalize order for 30 B-737 MAX 8 airplanes
Luton, UK - Worth more than $3.2 billion
Boeing and Monarch Airlines finalized an order for 30 B-737 MAX 8 airplanes worth more than $3.2 billion at current list prices. The order, originally announced at the "Farnborough International Airshow"... more
Science and technologyScience Festival: the Italian aerospace excellence in Europe and in the world
Genoa, Italy - Closing event took place in Genoa with the participation of the Defence Minister, Roberta Pinotti, and the “ambassador” of the European Semester, Major Luca Parmitano
On Sunday 2 November, starting from 6:00 pm the closing event of the Science Festival took place in the Sala Maggiore del Consiglio at the Doge's Palace of Genoa. Defence Minister, Roberta Pinotti,... more
Defense"Mare Nostrum"": shift to "Triton" operation has been agreed
Rome, Italy - During a press conference of Ministers Alfano and Pinotti
As established and agreed with the European partners, the Government has decided to shift from "Mare Nostrum" operation to the European Agency Frontex operation called "Triton". Therefore, a phasing-out... more
DefenseFinmeccanica-WASS: war shot firing for "Black Shark" in collaboration with Royal Malaysian Navy
Livorno, Italy - Firing from "Scorpene" submarine, against a dismissed ship used as target
During the Italian night between 30th and 31st October, in Malaysia took place an important event for Finmeccanica–WASS and Malaysian Navy. In China Sea waters, facing the military base of Kota Kinabalu, i... more
Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: alert for storm on Piemonte and Liguria
Rome, Italy - An orange criticality for Liguria
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, issued a bulletin for unfavourable weather conditions. The notice predicts rains with downpour or storm aspect on Liguria... more
SecurityAirplanes and health. Ebola: humanitarian NGO doctor put into precaution quarantine in Italy
Quart, Italy - The organization questions the isolation measure: medical tests on the man proved negative
An Italian doctor returning from Sierra Leone was put in isolation on Friday morning at 9:00 Italian time under instructions of the local health agency of Val d’Aosta region. The man had treated Ebola p... more
IndustryAirbus: SriLankan Airlines receives first of six new A-330/300 aircraft on order
Toulouse, France - The airline will take delivery of a further five units
SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has taken delivery of its first A-330/300 airplane becoming a new operator for the type. The wide-body aircraft arrived at Colombo International Airport,... more
ReportVnukovo airplane accident: official charges pressed against all the arrested employees
Moscow, Russia - Now there are five people accused of violation of safety regulations
Russian investigators pressed official charges against four Vnukovo airport employees for the October 24 accident. Three crew members of a Falcon 50 airplane died together with the only occupant of the... more
HelicoptersWestern Power Distribution selects Airbus Helicopters’ EC-135P2
Oxford, UK - With the selection of this aircraft, WPD now expands its fleet to five EC-135s
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has signed a purchase agreement for a new EC-135P2e from Airbus Helicopters UK. The aircraft, selected against a demanding requirement, will join WPD’s four current EC-135P1s, m... more
AirlinesAirplanes and airlines. Meridiana denies contacts with the Chinese
Olbia, Italy - Meanwhile the two employees on the lighting tower agreed a meeting with the company’s CEO
Meridiana president Marco Rigotti downsized the news about a Chinese group interested in the purchase of the carrier (for details see AVIONEWS): “If you are seriously interested in buying a company you t... more
ReportUnmanned airplanes. Unidentified drones fly over French nuclear plants
Paris, France - Aircraft of different sizes flew over plants and research centres during the month of October
Unmanned airplanes (UAV) have been detected over several French nuclear plants in October. Electricité de France (EdF), French largest producer of electricity, filed a complaint about drones flying over... more
HelicoptersAfghanistan receives thirty helicopters from Russia
Moscow, Russia - The delivery is part of an agreement between Moscow and the United States to strengthen Kabul air forces
On October 29, Moscow delivered to Afghanistan last thirty gunship helicopters Mil Mi-17V-5 as provided by an agreement signed by the United States and Rosoboronexport, a State agency founded by Putin... more
IndustryAirplanes and industry. Finmeccanica closes Telespazio in Naples
Naples, Italy - Another step on the road to Moretti’s reorganization
Finmeccanica decided to close Telespazio research centre in Naples. Thirty-three employees have already received a communication saying they will be transferred to Rome from December 1. Metalworkers unions... more
PeopleItalian Foreign Affairs Minister: Federica Mogherini's resignation. Paolo Gentiloni replaced her
Rome, Italy - A summary of the tasks taken in "Eight intense months"
Federica Mogherini handed in her resignation as Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation today, 31 October 2014. She was in this role since last February 21, 2014. She is from... more
UAS-DronesUnmanned airplanes. Drone-alert in Manchester for Sunday 2 derby
Manchester, United Kingdom - The police wants to prevent new flights during a match
Unmanned airplanes have appeared over football fields twice in the last fifteen days. For this reason, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is on red alert for possible drones flying during November 2 derby... more
PeoplePaolo Gentiloni is the new Italian Foreign Affairs Minister
Rome, Italy - He replaced Federica Mogherini
Paolo Gentiloni Silveri has been appointed today the new Italian Foreign Affairs Minister and international cooperation in the Renzi's Government. He replaced Federica Mogherini, resigned, to fulfil another... more
IndustrySSJ-100: LOI signed between IFC and Belgian carrier VLM Airline for two airplanes
Venice, Italy - With options for additional two plus ten aircraft
The leasing Company “Ilyushin Finance Corporation” (IFC) and the Belgian carrier VLM Airline have signed a Letter of Intent for purchase two Sukhoi Superjet 100 with options for additional two plus ten... more
ReportAlleged Finmeccanica kickbacks: former Minister’s defence
Milan, Italy - The former minister rejects Milan prosecutors’ accusations
As reported by AVIONEWS, Milan district attorney's office transmitted the Court of Ministers a file carrying an accusation against Giulio Tremonti, for alleged kickbacks received by Finmeccanica when he... more
AccidentsTwin-engine airplane crashes against Wichita airport building: four dead
Wichita, USA - The victims are the pilot and three people who were inside a flight simulator
A Beechcraft King Air twin-engine airplane collided with a building in Wichita airport (Kansas) yesterday, October 30, around 9:50 am local time, killing three people. A minute after teak-off, the pilot... more
Press releaseFinmeccanica related to the investigation conducted by the Prosecutor's Office of Milan: if the alleged illicit behaviour would be confirmed, it will promote all possible initiatives to defend its interests and its image
Rome, Italy - Under investigation dating back to 2008
"Referring to press reports of yesterday related to the investigation conducted by the Prosecutor's Office of Milan, Finmeccanica hereby informs that, if the alleged illicit behaviour under investigation... more
IndustryAirbus: first A-350XWB aircraft for Vietnam Airlines rolls out of assembly hall
Toulouse, France - This milestone marks the completion of some of the major airframe of the plane
The first A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines, to be leased from AerCap, has just moved to station 30 at the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. This new milestone marks the completion... more
HelicoptersSikorsky and PZL Mielec withdraw from a helicopter tender in Poland
Warsaw, Poland - Only two competitors remain: AgustaWestland and Airbus Group
The consortium of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and PZL Mielec communicated today they intend to withdraw from a 3 billion dollars tender (nearly 2.4 billion Euros) to provide 70 helicopters to the Polish... more
Civil aviationAircraft and transport. IATA: the infrastructure challenge
Toronto, Canada - Strong partnerships and solid ground rules
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for a partnership approach guided by clearly defined success factors to build the global infrastructure needed for aviation to continue supporting... more
SecurityAirplanes and health. Nurse returned from Sierra Leone challenges the quarantine imposed by authorities
Fort Knox , USA - Kaci Hickox in isolation in her boyfriend’s house despite never showing Ebola symptoms
Kaci Hickox, the American nurse who came back from Sierra Leone on October 24 after a month treating Ebola-infected people with "Doctors Without Borders", challenged Maine’s authorities going out for a... more
IndustryMexico orders more C-295 aircraft
Seville, Spain - The Mexican Navy already flies four C-295, six CN-235 and two C-212 airplanes
Mexico has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the acquisition of two additional Airbus C-295 medium transport aircraft for the Mexican Navy. The agreement takes to 22 aircraft the total... more
ReportAirplanes and history. Aluminium fragment could help solving Amelia Earhart’s disappearance mystery
Washington, USA - Investigators claims it belongs to the 1937 aviator’s airplane
Seventy seven years after the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the American pioneer pilot who passed into the annals of aviation history in the 20’s and 30’s, new evidence reopens a still unresolved cas... more
AirlineseasyJet: new flights from Rome and from Naples to London-Luton
Milan, Italy - Also the routes to Tenerife and Marseille (from Fiumicino) inaugurated
easyJet inaugurated the Winter season with a new flight from Rome-Fiumicino to London-Luton, another route added to that already available to London-Gatwick. New connections are available from Rome-Fiumicino... more
AirportsAirplanes and safety. Saab achieves IOC milestone for seventh RWSL deployment in the USA
Linkoping, Sweden - Runway Status Lights deployed to a total of 17 airports nationwide
Defence and security company Saab has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Runway Status Lights (RWSL) program has achieved the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) milestone at seven... more
AirlinesGermanwings: links reinforced from Bari and Lamezia Terme to Düsseldorf
Milan, Italy - New frequencies with the Summer timetable 2015
Germanwings strengthens its own network and with the next Summer timetable, from next March 30, 2015, announces new frequencies on the routes to Germany. From Düsseldorf: the airline adds a weekly... more
IndustryFinmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi has signed with Slovak Defence a contract for two C-27J Spartan aircraft
Turin, Italy - Including the relative initial logistic support and the training of pilots and maintenance personnel
Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi and the Slovak Defence Ministry have signed yesterday, 29th October, a contract for the supply of two C-27J Spartan aircraft, including the relative initial logistic support... more
AirlinesAirplanes and carriers. Alitalia: new flights to Berlin and Duesseldorf (from Rome, Linate and Venice)
Rome, Italy - The airline invests on Germany: 370,000 more seats in 2015
As of December 15, Alitalia will inaugurate new daily service to Berlin and Duesseldorf from Rome-Fiumicino, Milan-Linate and Venice. Flights to these destinations are already selling on alitalia.com,... more
ReportAirplane and justice. Air traffic controller trainee charged for Vnukovo accident
Moscow, Russia - Svetlana Krivsun can be sentenced up to seven years of jail for violating aricraft safety rules
Investigators in the Vnukovo airplane crash pressed official charges against Svetlana Krivsun, the trainee who was in control tower the night of October 24, when a Falcon X business jet collided with a... more
ReportAirplanes and industry. Finmeccanica accused of kickbacks to former Italian Minister
Milan, Italy - The bribe would have been paid for the acquisition Drs Technologies in 2008
According to Milan district attorney's office, Finmeccanica bribed Giulio Tremonti in 2008, when he was minister of Economy of Italy, to get the approval for the purchase of the American defense contractor... more
AirlinesAirplanes and airlines. Chinese Group interested in buying Meridiana
Olbia, Italy - The interest was expressed through a letter to the regional administration of Sardinia
Sardinian administration received a letter this morning, signed by the Chinese tycoon Xiaodong Zhu and addressed to the Region president Francesco Pigliaru and the responsible of Transports of Sardinia... more
IndustryHitachi calms spirits down over AnsaldoBreda purchase
Tokyo, Japan - The Japanese company is getting high profits in the railway sector
The Japanese look more aloof than expected over purchasing Finmeccanica’s train manufacturer AnsaldoBreda (for details see AVIONEWS 1 and 2). According to the “Wall Street Journal”, Hitachi CFO Toyoaki Nakam... more
Military aviationTwenty six Russian military airplanes intercepted near EU airspace
Brussels, Belgium - NATO says it represents an “Unusual level of air activity”
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) tracked an “Unusual level of air activity” by Russian military airplanes in the last two days. Four different groups of aircraft have been intercepted over the... more