AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,312 news found
HelicoptersMistral helicopter carrier. Rogozin: we will no longer buy military technology abroad
Moscow, Russia - The Russian Deputy Prime Minister says France was not able to make “Sovereign decisions”
“We will no longer buy ready-made military equipment abroad and the Mistrals serve as a good example confirming that we are right” said today Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin to the press com... more
HelicoptersRobinson: FAA certifies floats for R-66 helicopter
Torrance, Usa - The option adds approximately 65 pounts to the aircraft's empty weight
Robinson Helicopter Company’s float option for its 5-place R-66 was FAA approved on November 15, 2014. Designated the Turbine Marine, the R-66 pop-out float option is similar to the R-44 Clipper pop-out f... more
IndustryFinmeccanica-AnsaldoBreda: contract for the maintenance of the new "Frecciarossa 1000" trains
Rome, Italy - The agreeement, EUR 250 million, will last ten years
Finmeccanica-AnsaldoBreda signed a 250 million euro contract with Trenitalia (FS Italiane Group) for the global maintenance service of the new "Frecciarossa 1000" fleet, the super trains manufactured in... more
Civil aviationAirplanes and rules. Single European Sky: Spain says no to Gibraltar
Brussels, Belgium - The new regulation was approved thanks to the mediation of Italian presidency between Madrid and London
Spain has obtained the exclusion of Gibraltar from the new rules for the “Single European Sky” called SES, voted yesterday by the European Council of transport ministers. The Spanish minister of Public Wor... more
Civil aviationCALC will realize a 2 billion dollars aircraft disassembly operation
Beijing, China - The Chinese leasing firm has also closed a deal with Airbus announced in November
China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) has been working on two important deals between Tuesday and today. The first provides for the purchase of 100 aircraft from Airbus Group, the second is a vast airplane... more
AirlinesAirplane pilots call another strike as Lufthansa goes ahead with low-cost flights
Berlin, Germany - The Eurowings development project, approved yesterday by the airline, aims at reducing costs by circumventing the collective labour agreement
Luthansa’s supervisory board approved yesterday its subsidiary Eurowings development plan on short and long haul routes, with which it intends to face low-cost and Middle East carriers competition (for d... more
AirlinesLufthansa: supervisory board approved key focuses and action for the Group's continued success
Milan, Italy - Fleet renewals and the completion of a number of major refurbishment projects
2015 should bring increasingly good news for customers and passengers of the Lufthansa Group, according to the plans of the Deutsche Lufthansa AG Executive Board. For the Group’s member airlines, fleet r... more
AerospaceFirst test launch for Orion, the space capsule that will take man to Mars
Cape Canaveral, USA - Today’s mission will test atmospheric entry systems
Today at 1:05 pm Italian time (7:05 am local time) NASA will perform the first test flight of Orion space capsule, that one day might take men on Mars. The launch will depart from Cape Canaveral base in... more
IndustryAirbus: CIT firms up order for 15 and five aircraft
Toulouse, France - For A-330/900neo and A-321ceo, respectively
CIT Group Inc., a global company in transportation finance, has firmed up its order for 15 A-330/900neo and five A-321ceo aircraft. It became one of the launch customers of the A-330neo after signing its... more
Weather forecastsAirplanes and forecast. Bad weather in Italy: still storms on the central regions and rains on Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Rome, Italy - An orange criticality on Lazio, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, issued an additional bulletin for adverse weather conditions. It integrates and extends those diffused in the last days. Sparse... more
CargoAircraft and transport. IATA: air freight strong performance continues
Geneva, Switzerland - The good results reflect the improvements in world trade and business activity which have been evident since the summer
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released October data for global air freight markets showing that the strong performance of air cargo in recent months is continuing. Demand, measured... more
PeopleAirbus Helicopters appoints Yves Barillé as VP of Corporate Communications
Marignane, France - He succeeds Cécile Vion-Lanctuit, who is pursuing another professional opportunity
Yves Barillé has been appointed as Airbus Helicopters' Vice-President of Corporate Communications. As of March 2015, he will report to CEO Guillaume Faury and manage all internal and external communication... more
Industry200th Airbus aircraft assembled in Tianjin
Tianjin, China - Important milestone highlights successful partnership between the industry and China
A ceremony was held today at the Airbus (Tianjin) site to celebrate the 200th A-320 Family aircraft assembled by its Tianjin Final Assembly Line (FALC). Daniel Baubil, Airbus Executive Vice-President and... more
Press release"Single European Sky": Council agrees its position
Brussels, Belgium - The adoption of the two regulations requires the approval of both the Council and the European Parliament.
The Council reached a general approach on two proposals to make the European air transport system more efficient and to update the Single European Sky (SES) initiative. Both draft regulations are part... more
AirlinesAirplanes and airlines. Air France: pilots say yes to Transavia agreement
Paris, France - The French carrier can now begin the development plan of its low-cost subsidiary
The agreement between Air France and unions on Transavia’s development plan has been approved with 53% of the votes in the pilots’ referendum. 81% of potential voters participated at the poll. Until a f... more
AerospaceAirbus and Safran officially launch their aerospace joint-venture
Paris, France - The announcement arrived one day after the European conference on the development of a new generation of launchers
In the wake of Ministers of European Space Agency Member States council that agreed on the development of a family of new launchers -Ariane 6 e Vega C-, Airbus Group and Safran gave official announcement... more
IndustryAirbus: Finnair orders eight additional A-350XWB airplanes
Toulouse, France - The airline has signed an agreement
Finnair, a launch customer for the A-350 XWB, has signed an agreement, firming up the order for eight additional A-350/900s. Finnair was the first airline to select the A-350 XWB and will be the first... more
Civil aviationAirplanes and international treaties. Contrasts between USA and EU over the open-skies deal
Brussels, Belgium - Europe accuses the United States to thwart the opening of transoceanic routes by Norwegian Air
The European Union accuses the United States to violate the open skies treaty signed by the two counterparts in 2007. The debate is focused on a European airline’s application to establish new transoceanic r... more
ReportAirplanes and conflicts. A car exploded at the entrance of Mogadishu airport
Mogadishu, Somalia - At least four dead in a terrorist attack probably made by al-Shabaab, an organization affiliated with al-Qaeda
A United Nations armoured vehicle convoy was hit by a terrorist attack close to the entrance of Mogadishu airport today December 3. The suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives against the cars.... more
AirportsAutogrill grows in Germany and signs a new contract at the Frankfurt hub
Milan, Italy - Total revenues estimated at about 150 million euros over the ten-year contract term
Autogrill Group has signed a new contract with Frankfurt Airport to open three new points of sale and renew seven others in which it already operates. The contract will run for ten years, from 2015 to... more
Military aviationIranian airplanes attack Isis in Iraq
Washington, USA - Even though it is not part of the international coalition, Shia-ruled Iran sees Sunni caliphate militias as an enemy
The Pentagon announced that Iran conducted its first airplane strikes against Isis in Iraq in the past days. Although there is no formal partnership between Washington and Tehran, both governments see... more
AerospaceESA Council approves new generation of space launchers (VIDEO)
Luxembourg, Luxembourg - The decision marks a historical phase
ESA (European Space Agency) yesterday concluded a productive one-day Council meeting at ministerial level in Luxembourg. Ministers of ESA Member States agreed the further development of a family of... more
AerospaceJapan launches space probe to look for the origins of life (VIDEO)
Tokyo, Japan - Hayabusa 2 will bring samples of the asteroid 1999 JU3 back to Earth in 2020
Less than a month after the European lander Philae’s touch down on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (for details see AVIONEWS), on December 3 at 1:22 pm local time Japan launched the probe Hayabusa 2, o... more
UAS-DronesMoscow forms drone base in the Arctic
Moscow, Russia - It will be equipped with Orlan-10 UAVs
Russia completed the formation of a military unit for the operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) at the Ugolny base in the Čukotka region, in the north-eastern extremity oif the country. The news... more
Weather forecastsAirplanes and forecast (2). Bad weather in Italy: alert for thunderstorms on Lazio and Campania
Rome, Italy - An orange criticality on Sardinia and part of Lazio
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of the available forecast, issued an additional bulletin for unfavourable weather conditions. It integrates and extends those diffused in the last days... more
Finance and economyAirplanes and finance. TCI founders divorce: shareholders’ core in danger
Madrid, Spain - The judge ordered one of the fund’s owners to pay 425 million Euros to his wife; shall he sell part of its shares?
Can a divorce be a danger for a giant company managing around sixty airports all over the world? It looks likely in the case of Aena. After the presentation to institutional investors was postponed, personal... more
AirlinesAirplanes and airlines. Redundant workers denounce Meridiana’s management at the European Parliament
Brussels, Belgium - The EU institution is the last stage of a long protest that started two weeks ago in Olbia
Meridiana redundancies have done today the last leg of a long travelling protest: it started on November 14 from Olbia and crossed all Sardinia; it reached Aiglemont, a small town near Paris where the... more
SecurityICAO evaluates new measures for commercial airplanes security
Montreal, Canada - The Malaysian airplane shot down in Ukraine caused a great debate on flights over war zones
Today and tomorrow a task-force named by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, an autonomous UN agency) will discuss measures to safeguard commercial aircraft from dangers coming from flying... more
Military aviationAirspace defence (2). Near collision between Norwegian F-16 and Russian fighter airplane (VIDEO)
Oslo, Norway - Oslo armed forces published a video of the incident
Norwegian armed forces add a new chapter in the story of the near accident with Russian warplanes. On Sunday, November 30 they published a video showing a close encounter between a Norway F-16 and a Mig-31... more
HelicoptersAgustaWestland completed GrandNew helicopter deliveries to Intermountain Life Flight
Cascina Costa, Italy - Fifth and final delivery in current order to western US EMS operator
Finmeccanica–AgustaWestland announced yesterday that Intermountain Life Flight (ILF) of Utah has taken delivery of its fifth GrandNew helicopter for EMS and SAR missions as they expand service to patients t... more
IndustryFinmeccanica: the Chinese get access to AnsaldoBreda documents
Rome, Italy - The joint-venture Insigma-Xhinzu could present a binding offer within the next two weeks
While the Japanese Hitachi waits for clarification on AnsaldoBreda contracts, news about the comeback of a Chinese joint-venture have been denied and then confirmed again between yesterday and today. The... more
Military aviationParis and New Delhi do not get over block on Rafale airplanes agreement
New Delhi, India - But Defence Ministers committed to give priority to the solution of the matter
The supply of 126 French Rafale fighter airplanes to India is still stuck. Paris and New Delhi Defence Ministers could not conclude the negotiations during their meeting yesterday, but resolved to sort... more
DefenseAirspace defence among the themes in discussion in the Baltic countries annual meeting
Tallinn, Estonia - The Baltic States invited Poland, which is considered a strategic ally inside NATO
The defence of airspace will be on of the theme under discussion during the Baltic countries annual meeting that will be held today in Tallinn. Presidents of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Lithuania Dalia... more
HelicoptersAirbus Helicopters Training Services reaffirms its commitment to safety
Marignane, France - 50,000 trainees in 50 years
Airbus Helicopters Training Services (AHTS) has completed the instruction of its 50,000th trainee, marking a new achievement for this wholly-owned subsidiary of the industry. This milestone was achieved... more
Weather forecastsAircraft and forecast. Bad weather in Italy: alert for strong winds and storms on Sardinia
Rome, Italy - An orange criticality on the isle and Lombardia
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, issued an additional bulletin for adverse weather conditions. It integrates and extends those already diffused in the last... more
IndustryBoeing: finalized order for 100 B-737 MAX 200 airplanes
Dublin, Ireland - Ryanair is launch customer for the model
Boeing and Ryanair have finalized an order for 100 B-737 MAX 200 airplanes, valued at $11 billion at current list prices. The order, originally announced as a commitment in September, includes options... more
Military aviationBeijing towards first “Made in China” aircraft carrier?
Beijing, China - China might plan to expand its fleet to spread its influence over Asian seas
China might be planning to build new aircraft carriers to affirm its presence on Asian seas, says the State owned newspaper “Global Times”. Beijing actually owns one ship of this kind, the "Liaoning”, bough... more
Finance and economyAircraft leasing: Avolon Holdings to list shares on New York Stock Exchange
Dublin, Ireland - The company estimates to raise 286-314 million dollars for its shareholders
Avolon Holdings, Dublin-based aircraft lessor, announced today its intention to list part of its shares on New York Stock Exchange. The firm set its Initial Public Offering (IPO) price at 21 to 23 dollars... more
Fair and showsAirplanes and events. Alitalia and Etihad Airways handed "Expo Milano 2015" plot for construction of their joint pavillion
Milan, Italy - The two airlines are Official Global Carriers of the large-scale event
Alitalia, Italian carrier, and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, were officially handed over the plot for their joint pavilion at "Expo Milano 2015" today. The two airlines... more
ReportMalaysia Airlines airplane: victim’s mother sues Ukraine
Donetsk, Ukraine - Kiev is accused for failing to close its airspace after civil war burst out
The mother of a German woman killed in the airplane shot down in Donetsk’s sky on July 17 sued Ukraine in the European Court of Human Rights for negligence. Kiev is accused for failing to close its airspace t... more
CuriositiesThe world's tallest structure in chocolate at Dubai International Airport
Dubai, UAE - The Guinness Record is part of the "43rd UAE National Day Celebrations"
Dubai International Airport has unveiled the world’s tallest structure in chocolate, a 44.2 feet tall model of the world’s tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa. A creation of the Master Chocolatier Andrew Far... more
Civil aviationAircraft and transport. ACI Europe: EU airport traffic outpacing Non-EU for the first time in 8 years
Brussels, Belgium - Freight traffic reported growth of +3.1% while aircraft movements were up +2.2%
European airport trade body, ACI EUROPE today released its traffic report for October. The report is the only air transport report which includes all types of civil aviation passenger flights: network,... more
IndustryAirbus: Azul orders 35 A-320neo airplanes
Toulouse, France - They carrier has selected CFM engines for the aircraft
Azul Brazilian Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for 35 A-320neo Family aircraft. The airline, which is also leasing another 28 airplanes of this type, has chosen this family to carry out domestic... more
Military aviationFrench Defence Minister in India to close a contract to provide 126 Rafale airplanes
New Delhi, India - The agreement is suspended since 2012 for divergences on technology transfer from Dassault Aviation
The French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is in India for a two-day visit. One of the reasons of this trip is the supply of 126 Rafale fighter airplanes which has been pending for nearly 3 years. New... more
Civil aviationAirplane and airlines. Lufthansa: pilots on strike today and tomorrow
Berlin, Germany - Short and medium haul flights grounded from midday. Long haul and cargo stop starts tomorrow
Lufthansa pilots called another two-day strike. Short and medium haul flights will be grounded from today, Monday December 1, at midday. The protest will be expanded to long haul and cargo services from... more
AirlinesAirplanes and airlines. Meridiana to take again its old name Alisarda
Olbia, Italy - Meanwhile redundant workers take their protest at the residence of the firm’s owner prince Aga Khan in France
Meridiana redundant employees arrive today at Aiglemont, a town 30 km from Paris where the firm’s owner prince Aga Khan lives. It will not be a “Noisy” protest, but a call addressed to the carrier’s main in... more
Weather forecastsAirplanes and forecast. Bad weather in Italy: alert for most part of the Peninsula
Rome, Italy - A red criticality on west of Liguria
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, issued a further notice for unfavourable weather conditions. It integrates and extends that one already diffused for rains... more
AirlinesAir France presents its medium-haul network
Paris, France - The carrier is pursuing its move upmarket on it with an investment of 50 million euros
Air France aims to win the medium-haul battle on flights to and from Paris-"Charles de Gaulle", by offering the best product on the market. Since unveiling its new long-haul offer, the company is pursuing... more
Military aviationAirbus DS delivered the A-400M airplane to Royal Air Force
London, UK - It is the first of 22 ordered by the UK and will be known in service as the "Atlas"
Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first A-400M new generation airlifter to the Royal Air Force, beginning the next stage of the transformation of the United Kingdom´s air mobility fleet. The... more
ReportVolcanic eruption in Japan: dozens of airplane flights suppressed
Tokyo, Japan - Columns of ash coming out of the crater rose to 1 km
Dozens of flights were cancelled in the Japanese town of Kumamoto after the eruption of Mount Aso volcano, at 1000 km southwets of Tokyo on Kyushu island. The crater spewed out lava and debris, while columns... more