AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,301 news found

DefenseBoeing to provide the detection and tracking system for the Patriot PAC-3
St. Louis, USA - This order has been made by Lockheed Martin
Boeing will provide the delivery of the target detection and tracking system for the Patriot PAC-3 missile. Lockheed Martin would have ordered some 150 of such systems, destinated to the last version of... more

Press releaseFirst Eurocontrol's Permanent Commission meeting under the Italian Presidency
Rome, Italy - In Brussels last April 1
"It's held in Brussels, last April 1, the first reunion of 2004 of the Eurocontrol's Permanent Commission, maximum decisional authority of the European organization for the security of the air navigation... more

Science and technologyVienna: airport traffic on the rise in March
Vienna, Austria - It increased by 18.1% compared to one year ago
The traffic at the Vienna airport has risen by 18.1% in March compared to one year ago. It has been announced by Flughafen Wien, the company that manages Vienna's hub, where both regional and long-range... more

AirlinesGeneral meeting of Alitalia workers on Monday at Rome-Fiumicino
Rome, Italy - It will be held 1 to 5 pm in the buses forecourt
It will be held on Monday 1 to 5 pm in the buses forecourt in front of the central canteen of the Rome-Fiumicino airport, the general meeting of Alitalia workers, in which all the group's workers and the... more

AccidentsAn airscrew risks to completely cut the leg of a child
Oakland, USA - She has been anyway effectively cured by local health service
A Piper Turbo Arrow flying over the area nearby San Francisco has been forced to an emergency landing after that one of its engines burned up. Its pilot has tried to land on a motorway but the precarious... more

AccidentsItalian Flight Safety National Agency has started an investigation on the accident in Vergiate on last April 9
Vergiate, Italy - No injured persons while damages of such aircraft are presently being analyzed by inspectors
A helicopter would have been involved in an accident at Vergiate Airport at 5:30 pm on last April 9. Italian Flight Safety National Agency (ANSV) would have decided to start an investigation about such... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-300 B4-600 and A-300 C4- 600 series airplanes
Usa - To detect and correct damage of the center tank fuel pumps and fuel pump canisters, which could result in separation of a pump from its electrical motor housing, loss of flame trap capability, and a possible fuel ignition source in the center fuel
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2003-NM-80-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on McDonnell Douglas model 717-200 airplanes
Usa - To detect and correct corrosion of the left- and right-hand horizontal stabilizer hinge fitting bolts, barrel nuts, and associated holes in the horizontal stabilizer structure, and the left- and right-hand elevator sector pinch bolts and associated
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2002-NM-212-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Fokker model F-28 Mark 0070 and 0100 series airplanes
Usa - To prevent fatigue cracking of the sliding member, which could result in possible separation of the MLG from the airplane and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane upon landing and possible injury to passengers
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2002-NM-256-AD; Amendment... more

AerospaceSoyuz 2-1B's engine rockets will be strengthened
Moscow, Russia - Its first flight will not occur before 2006
Russian Government has scheduled to strengthen carrying capabilities of Soyuz 2-1B's engine rockets. Although its maiden launch will not be able to be performed before 2006, static tests for the structure... more

AirportsAn Italian bought the Concorde nose for EUR 170,000
Rome, Italy - 6122 lots of the famous jet to auction
The auction for the sale of 6122 lots belonging to the Concorde, organized in the UK, last four days. Many bidders took part in the auction even via the internet. The typical cone-shaped nose of the famous... more

HelicoptersEnstrom: more reliability for the aircraft, more warranty for customers
Washington, USA - The success of the helicopters of such producer causes an increase of assistance warranty
Enstrom has announced important improving steps in its production activity which will involve the entire range of products. The great reliability shown by the helicopters of such producer, company's representatives... more

Science and technologyMarch passenger record at the Turin airport
Turin, Italy - 285 thousand passengers used the airport
The Turin airport has set a new record for amount of passengers in March: lat month 285 thousand people used the Turin-Caselle airport, beating the previous record of March 2001 (279 thousand passengers).... more

PeopleCrash-landing in Abruzzo, one injured
Pescara, Italy - Caused by engine problems
A tourism aircraft with four people onboard made a crash-landing today in a mountainous area near Tornimparte, in Abruzzo, central Italy. One person was injured in one eye, no consequences for the other... more

Civil aviationRussian Civil Defence have landed in Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq - At least 360 Russian persons are ready to come back to Moscow today
Operations for bringing civilian personnel working in Iraq back to Russia have started (see for details AVIONEWS). Russian Civil Defence’s airplanes, IL-62 and IL-76 types, have landed at Baghdad International A... more

Science and technologyTwo Italians arrested at Milan-Malpensa for cocaine traffic
Milan, Italy - One of them had swallowed 82 pellets containing 1.26 pounds of drug
The Carabinieri have arrested two Italian citizens arriving at Milan-Malpensa from Brasil with the charge of international traffic aimed at cocaine dealing. One of them had swallowed 82 pellets containing... more

DefenseDiplomacy, defence, development: the three guidelines for the Canadian armed forces in the future
Ottawa, Canada - Relevant in order to make possible for the country to adequately face present strategical environment threats
Canadian Prime Minister has unveiled the main points related to reorganization programmes for Canadian armed forces in the future. The evolution of the entire national defence system, chief of Government... more

Latest newsPlants's tests for the M-346 have started
Venegono, Italy - F-124 engine's performance appears satisfying
Tests related to the plants of the new M-346 advanced trainer produced by Aermacchi have started. The first test which has already been successfully completed regarded its two Honeywell F-124 engines,... more

AirportsPolly, the female pilot flying around the world, arrived in Rome
Rome, Italy - Onboard a Piper, the 60-year-old English woman flies for charity
Polly Vacher, the 59-year-old English female pilot who has undertaken her second flight around the world, landed this morning in Rome. In 2001 the woman, a pilot since 1994, had already flown around the... more

PeopleItaly's Government action in aid of air transport sector will cost EUR 200m
Rome, Italy - Meanwhile, competing carriers protest against "illegitimate" aid
Italian Minister for UE Policies, Rocco Buttiglione, said that the Government action in aid of the air transport sector will amount to EUR 200m (USD 238m), this year's amount being somewhere around 120m.... more

AirlinesDelta Air's Chief Financial Officer leaves the carrier
Washington, USA - It occurs after the leaving by its President
Delta Air's Chief Financial Officer, Michele Burns, would have decided to leave this carrier in order to devote to the direction of Mirant energy company. Such announcement, spread right today, follows... more

Civil aviationHAI asks for higher flight safety over the Gulf of Mexico
Washington, USA - The right solution is the purchasing of more advanced technology
Helicopter Association International (HAI) is making remarkable efforts in order to significantly increase air activities safety in the Gulf of Mexico, when considering operative risks which have often... more

HelicoptersSingapore decommissions its own AS-550 Fennec
Singapore - New Zealand could decide to purchase them
Singapore Air Force, while waiting for taking delivery of the new AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, has decided to decommission its 20 AS-550 Fennec, employed as scouts and for light strike missions. These... more

AerospaceA Canadian candidate for the X Prize
Ottawa, Canada - The winner in the competition will receive USD 10m for launching a habitable spaceship 62 miles from Earth
A Canadian group is among the candidates to the X Prize, the competition that will assign USD 10m to who is able to create an aircraft able to transport three people to 100 km (62 miles) and return safely... more

AirlinesBoeing: Cathay Pacific Airways orders two additional B-777/300s
Seattle, Usa - They will be delivered in April 2005 and July 2006
Cathay Pacific Airways yesterday announced that it has placed a firm order for two Boeing 777-300 jetliners as part of its plans to grow the airline and enhance Hong Kong's status as a leading international... more

IndustryBoeing ex-employee to witness to her own responsibilities about Tanker affair
Washington, USA - It will occur on next week in front of Virginia Federal Judge
Next week, Boeing ex-employee Darleen Druyun, competent till her firing in November 2003 of missile defence sector, will be listened to by Virginia Federal Judge concerning the matter of the 767 Tanker... more

PeopleFire in engine, Delta Airlines MD-80 grounded
Washington, USA - The cause of the accident is still unknown
A Delta Airlines MD-80 aircraft, about to take off from Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport to Atlanta, was grounded yesterday due to a sudden fire inside the right engine. The fire was put out... more

PeopleItalian air transport dispute: Assaereo speaks
Rome, Italy - The general secretary Stumpo says: "International alliances are necessary"
Cesare Stumpo, national secretary of union Assaereo, has spoken about the Italian air transport dispute, claiming that the Government has to include its measures in an international alliances policy, otherwise... more

Civil aviationItalian Government is analyzing the hypothesis of shooting down hijacked airliners
Rome, Italy - An extreme solution in case of real danger
Italian Government is deepening a survey regarding the possibility for clearly regulating everything concerning the hypothesis of shooting down civil airplanes by Italian Air Force's fighters, in case... more

IndustryEads and Northrop Grumman for the new Nato's AEW airplane
Paris, France - It could be based on an Airbus aircraft
Nato could probably select Eads' solution for producing a new surveillance airplane of the same class of the J-Stars. Such European group, with reference to this issue, is leading a team of which also... more

AirlinesAir One flights from Trieste to Rome and Naples
Trieste, Italy - Connections will start on 1st June
From 1st June Air One will add Trieste to its destinations by launching two flights from the "Ronchi dei Legionari" airport: one to Rome and one to Naples. The routes will be served daily by Boeing 737... more

Civil aviationOne among the four kidnapped Italians has been killed in Iraq
Rome, Italy - Fabrizio Quattrocchi, 36, from Genoa
One among the four Italians kidnapped by Prophet Mohammed Green Brigades in Iraq, Fabrizio Quattrocchi, 36, from Genoa, has been killed by his abductors (see for details AVIONEWS). Such news, still very... more

Sport aviationMountain flight in Valle d'Aosta in August
Chamois, Italy - A great show backed by Regional Tourism Department
During two days (August 14-15), Valle d'Aosta will be the protagonist of an important initiative devoted to sport flight next summer. In Chamois, an outstanding location in this region as it is endowed... more

IndustryRaytheon Missile Systems awarded of a over 25 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the medium range air-to-air missiles
Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson Ariz., is being awarded a $25,424,634 firm fixed price contract modification. This action Exercise Option of 50 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles Air Intercept... more

Press releaseFirst European woodland fire drill
Rome, Italy - More than 560 men, 12 airplanes, 11 helicopters will be used
"More than 560 men, 12 airplanes, 11 helicopters, 160 vehicles will be used in the first European woodland fire drill, which will take place between 18 and 20 April in France, at the Rhone mouth in the... more

Civil aviationAn European data bank against terroristic threat has been promoted
Brussels, Belgium - It will increase the cooperation among members through a deeper information exchange
The European Commission has recently put forward a proposal in order to design a EU data bank related to persons already condamned for terrorism, or under suspicion of having contributed to perform such... more

CuriositiesSpielberg working at "The Terminal", a movie about immigrants in US airports
Washington, USA - It will be out in America on 18 June
It is called "The Terminal", the latest Stephen Spielberg's movie, currently being finished, which will be out in America on 18 June. The theme is that of the condition of immigrants, represented through... more

Civil aviationMoqtada Al-Sadr accepts to surrender
Teheran, Iran - Al-Sistani and Iranian Government's pressures appear effective
While fightings carry on in the area of Falluja, involving American ground and air forces in an attempt for quelling the riot of groups which are adherent to Al-Sadr and which cause the shooting down of... more

Sport aviationFivl: World Cup of paragliding PWC 2004
Turin, Italy - Terrible debut in Veneto; the show has seen the participation of 130 pilots from 47 countries
"Very bad debut for the World Cup of paragliding, that it has started in Italy between Feltre (Belluno) and Borso del Grappa, near to Bassano (Vicenza) from 4 to 11 of April with the participation of 130... more

Civil aviationEuropean Union's protection facing aggressions against members' citizens rises
Brussels, Belgium - An indemnity against punishable criminal acts anywhere they occur within EU's territory
European Union' members have achieved an agreement regarding their common ruling of the possibility for a compensation for every citizen, in case this suffers from phisical or psychological damages due... more

Civil aviationEU passes new measures for flight safety
Brussels, Belgium - More controls against terrorism and bad overhaul
New European Union's measures in order to increase flight safety against the danger of terroristic attacks and to avoid serious technical failures. European Parliament has approved a directive aimed to... more

People16 April Enav personnel strike cancelled
Rome, Italy - After union Cisal-Av has signed an agreement
The strike called by the Enav (Italian authority for air navigation services) employees for 16 April has been cancelled. The news has been announced by Enav in a note, which states that Friday flight will... more

AerospaceIss missions maybe extended to one year
Washington, USA - It is being planned to use the Soyuz space shuttle for space tourism
The missions of the astronauts onboard the Iss, International space station, might be extended from six months to one year. Nasa is currently evaluating this possibility, suggested by the Russian space... more

Latest newsSnowbirds Canadian acrobatic squad could fold up its activity
Ottawa, Canada - This country wants to reduce management costs for its military units
The Snowbirds Canadian acrobatic squad could stop flying. Problems related to management costs for Canadian Air Force's units could in fact negatively affect the carrying on of the activities for this... more

Science and technologyTraffic at British airports is on the rise
London, UK - The seven airports managed by Baa showed a 10.4% increase in March
The seven major British airports, managed by Baa, showed a 10.4% increase in passenger traffic in March, with 10.8 million passenger. In the year that finished in March, instead, the increase amounted... more

DefenseThe AIM-9X enters service
Tucson, USA - It has been selected also by Finland and South Korea
After completing tests in August 2003, Raytheon has started to delivery the last version of the well known AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air short range IR (Infra Red) missile. Early developed in order to satisfy... more

CuriositiesGagarin's career saved by a pillow?
Moscow, Russia - His short height could have prejudiced the resounding success of a such famous Russian cosmonaut
After 43 years from Gagarin's launch in the space, it is known in Russia that not everything always was ok during his youngness spent as a fighter pilot in Russian Air Force. It seems in fact that Gagarin... more

Press releaseAirport Friuli Venezia Giulia: three years of successes with Ryanair
Ronchi dei Legionari, Italy - The connections are performed with B-737/800 aircraft
"Ryanair, first European low-cost carrier for number of passengers carried, links the Friuli Venezia Giulia's airport to London-Stansted with daily flights since April 2001. The connections, served with... more

AirlinesAmerican Airlines revealed passengers' data to private research firms
Washington, USA - Confidential information of 1,2 million passenger was transmitted
American Airlines has announced that it transmitted confidential data of 1,2 million passengers to four private research firms. Protests by privacy advocates are in store for the airline, although it has... more

Finance and economySnecma at the stock exchange by June
Paris, France - The opening to the market will be 30/40%
The launch at the stock exchange of Snecma, French airplane engine constructor, which opening to the market will be 30/40%, should occur by nect June. It has been announced by the group's president, Jean-Paul... more