AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,306 news found
AirlinesAirplanes. Etihad to expand its activities to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Tanzania
Milan, Italy - Fleet is growing to support the network development
Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates carrier, will expand its global network by adding new routes to Baku, Tbilisi and Dar es Salaam by the end of 2015. After this announcement, new destinations to... more
IndustryAirplanes and industry. Finmeccanica to reorganise corporate structure
Milan, Italy - Subsidiaries will be transformed into company departments
Finmeccanica CEO Mauro Moretti will explain his reorganisation plan to top management of the Group on Monday, October 6. The project, developed in collaboration with the American management consulting... more
Press releaseFinmeccanica on outolook revision of Standard & Poor's
Rome, Italy - Is not taken account initiatives launched by the new Management
"With reference to Finmeccanica's outlook revised from stable to negative by rating agency Standard & Poor's, and the relative comments reported today on the press, Finmeccanica clarifies that the revision... more
HelicoptersFinmeccanica-AW: Italian Army takes delivery of its first two ICH-47F helicopters
Cascina Costa, Italy - During an official ceremony held at Vergiate plant today
Finmeccanica–AgustaWestland announced that the Italian Army has taken delivery of its first two ICH-47F Chinook helicopters during an official ceremony held at Vergiate plant (Italy) today. The ceremony w... more
IndustryAirplanes and industry. Finmeccanica new path meets Uilm criticism
Rome, Italy - The metalworkers’ union questions the new management’s attitude towards workers and subsidiaries
Uilm (Italian union representing metalworkers) sent all Finmeccanica employees a letter expressing criticisms over the policies of the Group lead by Mauro Moretti. The union not only accuses the company’s m... more
Civil aviationAircraft and transport. IATA: demand for air travel picks-up in August
Geneva, Switzerland - WHO evaluates the risk of Ebola transmission occurring on an aircraft as "Very low"
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for August showing a slight pick-up in demand over the previous month. Total revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs)... more
Press releaseEC: commissioner Cecilia Malmström commemorates the Lampedusa tragedy
Brussels, Belgium - Her declaration and the overview of EC actions (migration, asylium and borders)
One year ago, I visited Lampedusa together with Italy’s Prime Minister Letta, Interior Minister Alfano and Commission President Barroso. We were standing in front of rows of coffins containing the bodies o... more
Military aviationUSA and China seek new rules for flights over territorial waters
Washington, USA - The two countries decided to start talks one month after the incident of Hainan
Last August 19 a Chinese fighter airplane intercepted a US Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidon 220 km east of Hainan Island. The Asian aircraft came within 6 meters of the American plane flying at more than 350 knots.... more
OccurrencesWhite powder alarm at Melbourne airport
Melbourne, Australia - The substance was found in an Australia Post facility
Australian Federal Police and firefighters intervened at 6:00 pm local time (10:00 am in Italy) after “White powder” was found at the Australia Post mail-handling facility at Melbourne Airport. The mai... more
Military aviationFuselage fault found in Typhoon fighter airplanes: Germany freezes deliveries
Farnborough, United Kingdom - The issue undermines Germany’s capacity to fulfil its commitments with NATO
English company BAE Systems put Eurofighter Typhoon airplanes fuselage production on hold after discovering possible quality deficiencies, the German Defence Ministry Ursula van der Leyden said in a letter... more
IndustryAirbus readies A-350XWB airplane for first customer Qatar Airways
Toulouse, France - Inaugural delivery scheduled before year end
The first A-350 XWB airplane for Qatar Airways is progressing towards delivery before year end. The aircraft equipped with Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines rolled out of the Airbus factory in Toulouse fully... more
AirportsAirplanes. United Kingdom: minor airports allied against Heathrow
London, United Kingdom - Birmingham airport CEO endorses Gatwick’s expansion
Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham airport, manifested his support to the construction of a second runway in Gatwick during the Conservative Party Conference. Kehoe’s move might be the sign of an unprecedented a... more
AccidentsSearch for the Malaysia airplane to resume in the Indian Ocean
Sydney, Australia - Three special ships will explore the area south-west of Australia from October 5
The Australian and Malaysian governments have decided to send a new mission to find the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777/200ER aircraft, disappeared from radars while en route between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing... more
Finance and economyStandard & Poor’s revises Finmeccanica outlook from stable to negative
Rome, Italy - But the agency confirmed the rating
Standard & Poor’s confirmed Finmeccanica long-term rating to “BB+” and short-term to “B”, but at the same time revised its outlook from stable to negative. The agency explains in a note that the revis... more
Military aviationPoland wants new missiles for its F-16 fighter airplanes
Washington, USA - The fleet’s strike capability would be enhanced by 40 Lockheed Martin AGM-158 JASSM
Poland intends to increase its Lockheed F-16 airplane fleet strength by purchasing 40 low observable standoff cruise missiles AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile).The operation would cost... more
AerospaceThales Alenia Space: "Gold medal" for the management of the space science program Herschel-Planck
Rome, Italy - During the 28th World Congress of the IPMA
Thales Alenia Space announced that the Herschel-Planck program won the gold medal award at the 28th world congress of the IPMA (International Project Management Association), during the official awards... more
AirlinesAirplanes and airlines. New Alitalia ready for take-off
Rome, Italy - The new company now waits for the investments of Etihad
The Alitalia-Etihad agreement has been officially notified to the European antitrust on September 29. But the new company in which Etihad will invest 560 million Euros to buy 49% of shares had already... more
CargoAircraft and transport. IATA: air freight recovery strengthens
Geneva, Switzerland - Carriers in all regions reported an expansion in volumes
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced August 2014 data for global air freight markets showing continued robust growth in air cargo volumes. Measured by freight tonne kilometers (FTKs),... more
Weather forecastsBad weather in Italy: strong fickleness on the centre-South of the Peninsula
Rome, Italy - An orange criticality on Puglia and Sicily
The Italian Civil Defense Department, on the basis of the available forecasts, issued a bulletin for adverse weather conditions. The notice indicates sparse to diffuse rains, also with downpour or storm... more
SecurityAirplanes. FAA: statement-update on Chicago air traffic facility
Washington, Usa - The authority is continuing to manage high levels
The Federal Aviation Administration continued to manage high levels of air traffic in and out of the Chicago-area airports yesterday. FAA analysis shows by 1 pm CDT, almost 80 percent of the average... more
PeopleAircraft and transport. IATA: its DG and CEO Tony Tyler speech at ERA General Assembly
Barcelona, Spain - His comments on four topics in particular
IATA Director General and CEO Tony Tyler gave a speech to the ERA General Assembly on future trends in the regional airline business and the importance of European aviation competitiveness. Topics addressed... more
AirportsAirplanes and airports. Aena: Stock exchange quotation forecast for November
Madrid, Spain - The Spanish State might cash in 2.5 billion Euros from the privatisation of 49% of the company
The procedure leading to the Stock exchange quotation of Aena, the Spanish airport management giant, might end in early November. The privatisation moved its first steps in September, when a tender for... more
ReportFirst Ebola patient diagnosed in the US was flying on an airplane from Liberia
Dallas, USA - There are likely no threats for the other passengers, but contamination was possible in the days following the man’s arrival
The first man diagnosed with Ebola in the USA landed in Texas on an airplane coming from Liberia. The patient sought treatment a few days after arriving in Texas and was admitted to an isolation room at... more
IndustryAirbus: first A-350XWB airplane for Vietnam Airlines enters final assembly
Toulouse, France - It will be the first Asian airline to fly the aircraft and the second operator in the world
Final assembly of the first A-350 XWB airplane for Vietnam Airlines has begun at the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. Scheduled for delivery in mid-2015, the aircraft will... more
Press releaseAirplanes. State aid: EC adopts a package of decisions regarding public support to airports and airlines
Brussels, Belgium - The European Commission has adopted seven decisions
The European Commission has adopted seven decisions following in-depth investigations concerning public support granted to airports and airlines in Belgium, Germany, Italy and Sweden. In particular, the... more
UAS-DronesUnmanned aircraft. Watchkeeper drones take service in Afghanistan
London, United Kingdom - The news was revealed by the minister of Defence of the United Kingdom
On September 29 the minister of Defence of the United Kingdom said a new UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, commonly known as drone) has been deployed in Afghanistan. It’s the Watchkeeper, developed by Thales U... more
HelicoptersFinmeccanica helicopters: probe goes on in India too
New Delhi, India - Remand extension for the kickbacks middleman. He will be confronted with new evidence against him
New Delhi court remanded Gautam Khaitan to five-day Enforcement Directorate (or ED, Indian agency fighting economic crime) custody in connection with the Finmeccanica deal. The case is the same followed... more
HelicoptersIndian helicopters bribe: the defence requests the discharge of Orsi
Busto Arsizio, Italy - The lawyer of the former Finmeccanica CEO challenges the prosecutor’s closing speech
The lawyer Ennio Amodio pronounced his closing statement in defence of former Finmeccanica CEO yesterday at the end of the trial on the alleged kickbacks for the 560 million Euros commission for twelve... more
PeopleAir Malta: Filippo Micallef will be new CEO
La Valletta, Malta - He has a great experience in important and complex organizations
Filippo Micallef will be the new CEO of the Maltese airline. Maria Micallef, Air Malta President, commenting this position, declared: "Philip has all necessary qualities and experience to conduct this... more
Civil aviationAirplanes and airlines. Air France: union calls of the strike but does not sign the agreement
Paris, France - After one night of negotiations, pilots rejected the airlines’ new plan
On Sunday, September 28, the Snpl (National union of airline pilots) withdrew the longest strike in the airline’s history. Most of Air France flights have been grounded since September 15. As reported b... more
Civil aviationAirplanes and airlines. Lufthansa pilots on strike against new retirement scheme
Frankfurt, Germany - Today's protest will also affect early tomorrow's flights
Long-haul Lufthansa aircrafts from and to Frankfurt grounded today from 8:00am to 11:00 pm. As reported by AVIONEWS, the German pilots union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) is carrying out the protest announced... more
AirlinesAirplanes and airlines: third of Ryanair shareholders votes against O’Leary’s salary rise
Dublin, Ireland - The “Rebels” complain about profit fall in 2013, but forecasts are good for this year
Almost a third of Ryanair’s shareholders voted against the last pay report. It happened on Thursday, September 25, during the airline’s annual general meeting. The executive officer Michael O’Leary was p... more
SecurityEASA: Airbus A-350/900 airplane is certified
Cologne, Germany - Every new type of aircraft needs to obtain a type certificate before it can be delivered to an airline
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued on 30 September 2014 the type certificate of the A-350/900. Airbus demonstrated that the aircraft complies with the regulatory safety and environment requirements... more
IndustryAirbus: A-350/900 airplane receoves EASA Type certification (2)
Toulouse, France - Major milestone achieved on time, on cost and on quality
The world’s latest generation commercial airliner, the A-350/900, has received Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on 30th September 2014. The certified aircraft is powered b... more
Press releaseAmnesty International: the death toll in the Mediterranean rises while Europe looks the other way...
Rome, Italy - A year on from the Lampedusa shipwrecks
A year on from the Lampedusa shipwrecks, which claimed more than 500 lives, a new report by Amnesty International highlights how the shameful inaction of European Union (EU) countries has contributed to... more
Military aviationBoeing Defence cuts 2000 jobs in the State of Washington
Seattle, USA - The decision will affect mostly engineering activities in Seattle and Kent
Boeing Group defence division announced yesterday, September 29, it will shift some of its activities out of the State of Washington. The decision will affect almost 2000 jobs, mostly in the engineering... more
IndustryPiaggio Aero: Royal Thai Air Force selects P-180 Avanti II as a photo reconnaissance special mission aircraft
Villanova d'Albenga, Italy - The contract has been signed today at its headquarters
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and Piaggio Aero Industries (Piaggio Aero) announced that the industry has been selected as the winner bidder by the RTAF Special Procurement Committee to provide a photo... more
IndustryAirbus DS: first A-400M airplane for Germany runs its engines
Seville, Spain - In German Air Force service the aircraft will replace the ageing C-160 Transall fleet
The first Airbus A-400M new generation airlifter for the German Air Force has begun final tests towards its delivery. The four engines on the aircraft, known as MSN18, were successfully run simultaneously... more
Civil aviationFAA statement update on Chicago Air Traffic control facility
Washington, USA - The Authority has set a target to return Chicago Center to full service by October 13
Air traffic controllers who normally work at the Federal Aviation Administration's Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, IL are now working at other surrounding FAA air traffic facilities to help safely maximize... more
ReportLufthansa's airplanes still blocked for pilots' strike by Vereiningung Cockpit from Frankfurt
Berlin, Germany - The protest will involve only the long range flights from/to/via the German airport
Vereinigung Cockpit, the pilots' union, announced a strike that will interest the long haul flights departing from Lufthansa's hub in Frankfurt. The protest is planned for tomorrow, September 30, from... more
HelicoptersFinmeccanica-AgustaWestland: 700th AW-139 helicopter goes to Samsung Techwin Co. Ltd
Cascina Costa, Italy - During a ceremony held at its Vergiate plant in Italy
Finmeccanica–AgustaWestland announced it handed over two AW-139 intermediate twin helicopters to Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd. of the Republic of Korea during a ceremony held at AW’s Vergiate plant in Ita... more
IndustryBoeing: Etihad Airways unveil Livery of airline's first B-787/9 Dreamliner airplane
Washington, Usa - New "Facets of Abu Dhabi" livery reminiscent of desert landscape, inspired by culture of the UAE
Boeing rolled out of its paint hangar the first 787/9 Dreamliner that will be delivered to Etihad Airways. The airplane is painted in the airline's new "Facets of Abu Dhabi" livery with colors reminiscent... more
SecurityEASA allows the use of PED (to remain on and connected) on airplanes throughout the flight
Cologne, Germany - After a safety assessment process
EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) allows European airlines to permit use of mobile phones following the aircraft landing. Airlines can also allow the use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) throughout... more
AerospaceAVIONEWS: Italian ASI's press conference about Copernicus (VIDEO)
Rome, Italy - The Minister Stefania Giannini and the two space agencies (Italian and European)
AVIONEWS was present at the press conference entitled "Copernicus for environment and the human security: from research to operations". It took place last week at the Italian Space Agency (ASI) site in... more
IndustryAirbus: A-320 aircraft completed its first flight (VIDEO)
Toulouse, France - Powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines
The first A-320neo to fly has landed back at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport France at 02:22 pm local time after successfully completing its first flight which lasted around two and a half hours. The aircraft... more
IndustryEastern Air Lines Group signs definitive agreement for purchase of up to forty MRJ aircraft
Nagoya, Japan - Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2019
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (“Mitsubishi Aircraft”) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with Eastern Air Lines Group, Inc. (“Eastern”) for the purchase of twenty firm MRJ90 a... more
AirlinesEtihad Airways (2): its Airbus aircraft fleet underpins deep commitment to Europe
Milan, Italy - The details came as the airline unveiled a new livery design on its first A-380 airplane
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), continues to deepen its relationship with Europe through a multitude of partnerships in the aviation and aerospace sectors, providing... more
AirportsAirplanes and airports. Spain privatises the airport management giant Aena
Madrid, Spain - The company manages 46 airports in Spain and 15 more around the world
The airport management company Aena made the first step towards privatisation. The deadline to apply was September 23. The Minister of Public Works and Transports Ana Pastor -from Berlin where she was... more
IndustryIndia: Finmeccanica included in an industrial transformation project despite helicopters scandal
New Dehli, India - The Italian Group figures in the foreign investors list of the campaign “Made in India”
Finmeccanica Group has been included in the list of foreign investors in the campaign “Make in India”, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along the Italian holding, there are firms like Lockheed Mar... more
IndustryFinmeccanica is selling AnsaldoBreda
Rome, Italy - The candidates are four, but Bombardier could join
Finmeccanica board of directors approved yesterday the selling of AnsaldoBreda, its subsidiary maker of trains and underground trains whose balance sheet is in loss. The notice, released yesterday and... more