AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,301 news found

HelicoptersFormer Haiti's president Aristide left the Country onboard a helicopter
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - The first marines have arrived in the capital
Following the news of his resignation after 24 days of armed insurrection against his government, ex Haiti's President Jean Bertrand Aristide left the capital Port-au-Prince yesterday onboard a helicopter... more

DefenseEADS to develop the new Germany air defence system
Ulm, Germany - The SAMOC to be ready by 2007
After laying the foundations for the development of the new UK GBDA air defence system (Ground Based Air Defence), EADS will be involved in designing a similar system in order to protect German airspace.... more

Latest newsIsraeli AWACS for India
Tel Aviv, Israel - 3 Phalcons produced by 3 Il-76 airframes to be delivered
Israel will be able to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with 3 Phalcon AWACS electronic surveillance platforms (AEW, Airborne Electronic Warfare) produced by 3 Ilyushin Il-76 airframe. These airplanes... more

HelicoptersEADS and Rafael together to design a new electronic protection system
Ulm, Germany - The DIRCM to protect both civil and military helicopters
EADS and Rafael couple their own electronic warfare experiences to develop a new protection system for both civil and military helicopters. The European group's MILDS AN/AAR-60 and the Israeli company's... more

PeopleAirplane to Lampedusa: it did not leave today
Lampedusa, Italy - The subsidies due in case of insufficient passengers were not paid
The 11.45 am Palermo-Lampedusa flight did not leave today. On the route - left uncovered following the suspension of the Greek airline Bee Gee Air, winner in the tender for the allotment of the social... more

Science and technologySnow alert during the weekend: Bologna, Rome-Ciampino and Venice airports paralyzed
Rome, Italy - Cancelled and delayed arrivals and departures
The last weekend of February was a hard one for Italian air-traffic. The Bologna "Marconi" airport was closed on Sunday 28th February from 12.30am because of a heavy snowfall which did not allow snowploughs... more

Press releaseThe Economic Development Board of Singapore Awards Regional Headquarters Status to Eurocopter South East Asia
Singapore -
"Eurocopter is pleased to announce that, on 25 Feb 04, the Singapore EDB (Economic Development Board), has awarded the RHQ (Regional Headquarters) status to Eurocopter’s subsidiary in Singapore, ESEA (... more

AirlinesAlitalia affair: the new management has been chosen
Rome, Italy - Zanichelli has replaced Mengozzi
After a see-saw week, finally Government has reached an agreement for replacing Alitalia management. In fact, on Friday afternoon the cabinet released the following note: "Government, acknowledged Mengozzi's... more

Latest newsFirst Typhoon German pilots' training is carring on
Munich, Germany - The first Luftwaffe unit trainers to be 10
The second of the three Typhoon training courses forecasted by German Air Force has been recently concluded. Ten Luftwaffe pilots will be trained to become themselves trainers for the operative units which... more

Science and technologyPakistani airport: security measures reinforced
Karachi, Pakistan - Beacuse of operations to capture Al Qaeda militants
High alert level at Pakistani airports from last Saturday because of operations in tribal areas of the Country to capture Al Qaeda militants. The alert should last for at least four days. more

Press releaseAir transport between the European Union and third countries
Rome, Italy - Commission welcomes new powers to apply the competition rules
The Council of ministers adopted a Regulation last 26 February which gives the Commission full powers to apply the competition rules to air transport between the EU and third countries, in particular to... more

PeopleEmergency landing in Rimini because of smoke in cabin
Rimini, Italy - It occurred because of a seepage of anti-ice liquid
A Boeing 737 of the carrier Blue Panorama departed from Bologna last Saturday toward Lanzarote and Tenerife, made an emergency landing at Rimini airport at 9.15am because of smoke in the cabin. On board... more

Latest newsRaptor: all-weather stealth
Washington, USA - The F/A-22 programme appears to observe Rumsfeld's doctrine parameters
In spite of worries caused as a consequence of the Comanche programme cancellation (see for details AVIONEWS), it would not seem the F/A-22 Raptor stealth multirole interceptor fighter incurs this risk.... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on McDonnell Douglas model DC-9-81 (MD- 81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; model MD-88 airplanes; and model MD-90-30 airplanes
Usa - To prevent failure of the shock strut cylinders of the main landing gears (MLG) due to cracking, which could result in collapse of the MLG and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane during landing
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2003-NM-122-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Eurocopter France model AS-355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters
Usa - To prevent slipping of the main gearbox free-wheel unit, an engine overspeed, an engine shut down, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2003-SW-56-AD; Amendment... more

Science and technologyTomorrow's Alitalia personnel's strike at Fiumicino postponed
Rome, Italy - New date to be confirmed
The strike called for tomorrow, 2nd March 2004 from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, has been postponed sine die. The protest, which should have involved Alitalia's technical area personnel at the Rome-Fiumicino airport,... more

AirportsThe book 'Racconti in volo' published by Lake Garda airports
Trento, Italy - It already is a rarity because it is not on sale
Verona-Catullo and Brescia-D'Annunzio airports have published a rare collection of short stories written between 1999 and the end of 2003 for the magazine 'Catullo News', with the title 'Racconti in volo'... more

Civil aviation"Zero mishaps": USAF aim for its personnel
Washington, USA - General John P. Jumper appears resolute to solve this problem
US Air Force would be preparing a programme in order to reduce its personnel incidents (see for details AVIONEWS), which were mostly occurred during private vehicles driving in the past. USAF would have... more

AirlinesAir France flights to Port-au-Prince suspended
Paris, France - For safety reasons
French flag airline, Air France, has suspended its connections to and from Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince for safety reasons. On 26th February, the carrier cancelled a flight on which a delegation of the... more

AccidentsAn A-10 has fallen headlong in the USA
Washington, USA - The pilot died
A US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft fell headlong crashing on February 25 at 8:30pm, immediately after its taking off in the Chena Flood Plain area (Alaska). Its pilot, from Eielson base,... more

PeoplePassengers' weight should be checked more carefully
New York, USA - It results from the investigation on a air disaster in North Carolina
Ntsb (National Transportation Safety Board) reaffirms the need for checks not only on the weight of luggage, but also on that of passengers who board aircraft. It emerges after the end of the investigation... more

HelicoptersHelicopter turboshafts orders are increasing
Newton, USA - A substantial rise of orders to involve both helicopters in service and new programmes during the next 10 years
According to a recent Forecast International's research, helicopter market will be involved by an upsurge of turboshaft orders during the next 10 years, both for military and civil choppers. This high... more

Weather forecastsAir shows and exhibitions in March 2004
Washington, Usa -
EXECUTIVE PROTECTION INSTITUTE CORPORATE AIRCRAFT SECURITY SEMINAR…March 1-2, Las Vegas, Nev. Info: (540) 554-2540; Web site: www.personalprotection.com. AERO 2004 MEXICAN BUSINESS AVIATION AND AEROSPACE T... more

IndustryRockwell Collins Government Systems awarded of a over 20 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the F-15
Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $20,237,300 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide for F-15 very high frequency radios (810 maximum) and... more

IndustryMcDonnell Douglas Corp. awarded of a over 460 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the C-17 aircraft
McDonnell Douglas Corp., Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded a $460,955,541 firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide for sustainment of the fleet of C-17 aircraft from March 2004 through September... more

AccidentsMacedonian President's airplane: rescue team reached wreck
Skopje, Macedonia - All bodies are apparently charred. No survivors
Bosnian and Macedonian sources report that the airplane wreck - on which Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski was flying, apparently crashed in a mined field halfway between Mostar and Stolac, in Southern... more

AirlinesFuel cost increase: Continental Airlines increases fares
Houston, USA - USD 5 one way and USD 10 round trip
Continental Airlines has decided today a USD 5 increase for one-way tickets and USD 10 for round-trip. The reason is the ongoing increase of fuel cost. The carrier's management justify themselves by saying... more

Press releaseEurocopter: two EC-155 B1s for the Royal Thai Police
Singapore - Signed a contract worth approximately EUR 21m
"It was on 6 February 2004, at the headquarters of the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok, that the Police Lieutenant General Kanchit Seksit, Commander of the Logistics Office, and Mr. Vincent Dufour, Eurocopter... more

IndustryEmbraer contests Bombardier's assertion on support received from Government
Sao José dos Campos, Brasil - The Brazilian group says they received half as much
Embraer contested yesterday a claim made on 17th February by Bombardier CEO Paul Tellier, according to which over the last 3 years the Canadian EDC (Export Development Corporation) has financed 41% of... more

Science and technologyReggio Calabria: airport closed down from 1st March until 4th April
Reggio Calabria, Italy - For runway refurbishment works
Reggio Calabria airport 'Tito Minniti', will be closed down from Monday, 1st March until Sunday, 4th April for runway refurbishment works. Sogas, the company that manages the airport, has arranged a free... more

AerospaceIss: space-walk interrupted because of faulty space suit
Washington, USA - Nobody onboard the space station
The space-walk of the two astronauts on the Iss (International Space Station) last shorter than expected. American Michael Foale and Russian Alexander Kaleri, in space since last october (see AVIONEWS)... more

AirlinesAlitalia affair (5): proposed joint management Zanichelli-Bonomi
Rome, Italy - It will be discussed at directorate meeting this afternoon
Industrial and Government sources announce that the management of Italian flag airline Alitalia should be provisionally assigned to Alitalia Director-general Marco Zanichelli and President Giuseppe Bonomi... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 777-200 series airplanes
Washington, Usa - To prevent the possibility of the airplane departing the runway during Category IIIB autoland operations due to autopilot disconnect in low visibility weather conditions, and to warn the flightcrew of the potential for autopilot disconn
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2004-NM-28-AD; Amendment... more

Civil aviationFAA AD on General Electric Company (GE) series turbofan engines
Washington, Usa - Model CF6-80
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 2004-NE-05-AD; Amendment... more

AirlinesAlitalia affair (4): disputes following the so-called 'bed agreement' result from exploitation
Rome, Italy - AVIONEWS interviewed Commander Fabio Berti, President of Anpac (Italian association of commercial aviation pilots) (2)
AVIONEWS: You presented an alternative plan for cutting costs several weeks ago. Alitalia pretended that no plausible alternatives could be proposed by unions and professional associations, while the Government... more

AirlinesAlitalia affair (10): Mengozzi at Palazzo Chigi
Rome, Italy - Has arrived a few minutes ago
Alitalia's CEO Francesco Mengozzi has arrived at Palazzo Chigi a few minutes ago. He is going to join an inter-ministry summit, before Berlusconi and Fini, about the Alitalia affair is taking place. more

AirlinesAlitalia affair (3): domestic market must be consolidated
Rome, Italy - AVIONEWS interviewed Commander Fabio Berti, President of Anpac (Italian association of commercial aviation pilots)
AVIONEWS: "Il Foglio", Giuliano Ferrara's newspaper, wrote today that the previous Government left a disaster, but successors have been inactive. Do you agree on that? Berti: "Such an analysis is not... more

AirlinesAlitalia affair: the Council of Ministers began this morning
Rome, Italy - Waiting for the new plan
The Council of Ministers about the Alitalia affair began this morning at 10.15 am. The measures to resume the Italian carrier's new plan are being discussed. The appointment of the airline's new management,... more

AirlinesAlitalia affair (2): the Council of Ministers finished
Rome, Italy - It has not been spoken about Alitalia
It's just finished the Council of Ministers meeting that would have had to take the decisions on the new Alitalia plan. Instead, during the reunion it is not been the matter; has released it the Minister... more

AirlinesContinental Connection inaugurates service between Albany and Rutland
New York, Usa - From this week
CommutAir, a New York-based regional partner to Continental Airlines operating as Continental Connection, this week is introducing new nonstop service between its Albany hub and Rutland, Vt. The weekday... more

Latest newsBAE Systems is losing earnings
London, UK - Accused of a GBP 3bn excess in expenses
BAE Systems, the major European group for defence contracts, has recorded a decrease in gross earnings from GBP 796m in 2002 to GBP 760m in 2003. The group did not manage to finalize a GBP 13m contract... more

PeopleEurocontrol: 100 aircraft equipped for Link 2000+
Brussels, Belgium - In January, three new airlines, Air Europa, FedEx Europe and Hapag Lloyd joined the programme
100 aircraft owned by 6 airlines have now signed up to become pioneers for Link 2000+, Eurocontrol's controller-pilot data link (CPDLC) implementation programme. In January, three new airlines, Air Europa,... more

Press releaseAirbus: Air Deccan to acquire two new A-320s
Toulouse, France - The deliveries will begin in July this year
Air Deccan, India’s first low-cost carrier, has chosen Airbus’ A-320 family to expand services to major Indian cities from its Bangalore base. It will acquire two new Airbus A-320s from Airbus, and has... more

Science and technologyWireless Internet access at European airports
London, UK - With the Wi-fi technology, passengers can connect without cables
Wireless Internet becomes widespread at European airports. The Wi-fi technology, namely the system which allows people to connect to the Internet without using cables, after having developed in America... more

AerospaceLaunch of spacecraft Rosetta suspended
Kourou, French Guyana - The spacecraft could not be launched today because of technical problems
The launch of the Ariane 5 rocket carrying the spacecraft Rosetta, which was supposed to take place this morning at 8.36 MET from the European base in Kourou in the French Guyana, and already postponed... more

AerospaceThe convention on satellite survey systems yesterday in Pratica di Mare
Rome, Italy - 40 thousand images recorded in 10 years
A convention with the title 'Ten years of Italian military space policy. 1994-2004' was held yesterday at the Italian Air Force base in Pratica di Mare. Among the topics discussed, the Helios programme,... more

AccidentsMacedonian President died (2) : on the plane at least 6 assistants
Skopje, Bosnia - The plane crashed maybe for bad weather conditions
The presidential aircraft with onboard the Macedonian President and at least 6 assistants was going to a meeting in the city of Mostar (Western Bosnia) when at 8:01 disappear on the radars and crashed... more

AirlinesCathay Pacific adds flight to Taipei and Sapporto
Taipei, Taiwan - Number of services increased from 28 March 2004
Cathay Pacific decided to add new flight to Taipei and Sapporto starting from 28 March 2004. Weekly number of flights will be 108 to Taipei and 4 to Sapporto. more

AirlinesThai Airways reduces flights on the Bangkok-Los Angeles route
Bangkok, Thailand - Bangkok-Tokyo service will be increased
Thai Airways will reduce from 28 March 2004 its flights on the Bangkok-Los Angeles route because considered no more much profitable. At the same time three more flights per week will be added to the Bangkok-Tokyo... more

AirlinesVirgin Blue and Jetstar challenge each other
Sydney, Australia - The two air companies offer low-cost tickets
Virgin Blue and Jetstar are challenging each other these days offering about 100,000 low-cost tickets for Australia internal destinations. Jetstar will start flying from 25 May. Jetstar tickets are for... more