AirlinesGreat Plains Airlines to acquire 4 Fairchild Dornier aircraft

Tulsa, Usa - The four 328 were originally destined for Hainan Airlines

Great Plains Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is to acquire the four Fairchild Dornier 328 jets originally destined for Hainan Airlines but never delivered owing to the Chinese government’s refusal to grant i... more

IndustryPratt&Whitney Canada to start deliveries of PT6A-66A production engines at the end of 2002

Orlando, Usa - For Ibis Aerospace Ae270HP propjet

Pratt&Whitney Canada expects to begin deliveries of PT6A-66A production engines at the end of 2002 for the single-engine, nine-passenger Ae270HP turboprop propjet being developed by Ibis Aerospace Ltd,... more

Science and technologyNew immigration hall at Heathrow Airport

London, UK - It will enable British Airways to switch some of its long-haul routes from Terminal 4 to Heathrow’s largest terminal

Heathrow Airport has opened a new GBP 50 (EUR 79.5m) immigration hall for international passengers in Terminal 1 as part of a three-year project to allow the terminal to handle more long-haul traffic.... more

AirlinesLufthansa maintains top position in DJSI sustainability indexes

Berlin, Germany - Lufthansa has been included in the DJSI since September 1999

On September 4, 2002, Deutsche Lufthansa AG was, once again, included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World (DJSI) and the pan-European Dow Jones Sustainability Index STOXX (DJSI STOXX), as was confirmed... more

AirlinesKLM exel to launch its new Strasbourg-Amsterdam service

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Twice a day as of October 1

The Dutch airline KLM exel will start a round-trip service twice a day between the French city of Strasbourg - cultural and economic capital of the region of Alsace - and Amsterdam on October 1. The commuter... more

DefenseSeptember 11: anti-aircraft missiles to defend Pentagon

Washington, Usa - To test a new system to shield Us capital

In relation to operation "clear skies", for at least 4 days anti-aircraft missiles Avenger will be deployed in Washington DC to defend Pentagon and other sensible targets from any potential attack. Us... more

Civil aviation'Gun' smuggled onto Heathrow plane

London, UK - Some British reporters passed through security checkpoints carrying improper objects

A major investigation is under way after an undercover reporter smuggled an imitation gun onto a flight from Heathrow. The replica 9mm semi-automatic pistol was taken aboard a British Midland flight to... more

AirlinesBritish Airways warns about the impact of the war in Iraq

London, Uk - Today London Stock Exchange decides whether to exclude the airline from its FTSE 100

Whilst the London Stock Exchange is taking into consideration the possibility to exclude British Airways (BA) from its FTSE 100, the index which includes the shares of UK's 100 best performing companies,... more

IndustryPerhaps Airbus and Boeing will split China Airlines order

Taipei, Taiwan - The carrier to purchase 12 A330s and 8 747-400ERs

The issue in relation to China Airlines (CAL)renewal fleet program seems likely to be a never ending story. As in fact at first, under Taiwan's government pressure CAL seemed ready to buy 15 Boeing 777s,... more

AccidentsBritish Airways plane makes an unscheduled stop at Rome airport

Rome, Italy - A strong smell of gasoline was coming from a generator taken on board by a passenger

The pilot of a BA Boeing 737 flying from Naples to London-Gatwick made yesterday an unscheduled stop at Rome-Fiumicino airport, after both crew and passengers had noticed a strong smell of gasoline. The... more

AirlinesAir France to pay an expensive bill for pilots protest

Paris, France - EUR 80m, 50% of the recently announced profits

The protest call off by some unions of the pilots at Air France, which started last Friday to end only yesterday, will cost the Paris-based airline loads of money. In fact according to forecasts, Air France... more

Sport aviationGordon Bennett Cup: French brothers Leys won for the second year in a row

Chatellerault, France - Seventeen crews representing 8 different nations took off for the 46th edition of this prestigious balloon competition

After three days and nights on board their home-built balloon, "Le Petit Prince", the two French brothers Vincent and Jean-François Leys won the Gordon Bennett Cup for the second consecutive year. The... more

IndustryExxon awarded of a over 8 USDm contract

USA

Exxon Mobil Fuels Marketing, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded $8,341,073 fixed-price with economic-price adjustment type contract for 10,784,241 gallons of premium unleaded gasoline, diesel fuel #2 and fuel... more

AirlinesSkyWest Airlines reports traffic August 2002

St. George, Usa - +48,8% in revenue per passenger miles

The St. George (Utah)-based air carrier SkyWest Airlines reported a 48,8% increase in revenue passenger miles (RPMs) for August, while available seat miles (ASMs) increased 47% compared to the same period... more

HelicoptersSquirrel ideal for cargo work

Bern, Switzerland - Swiss operator Heli Bernina likes most AS350 B3

Switzerland’s Heli Bernina has replaced one of its Llamas with an AS350 B3 Squirrel. The helicopter’s flight time will be split 90% for cargo transportation and ten per cent for air taxi work. "This new... more

IndustrySaab delivered its first JAS 39C Gripen to Sweden

Linkoping, Sweden - "This is a milestone in the history of the Gripen"

On last Friday, Ake Svesson, Chairman at JAS industry Group and managing director at Saab Aerospace, delivered officially the first JAS 39C Gripen fighter to Brigitta Bohlin, director general at Sweden's... more

HelicoptersHAS Corporation files for chapter 11 protection

Washington, Usa - The high cost of insurance after September 11 is a major factor in the decision

HAS Corp, a leading US EMS and police helicopter customisation house says it’s become the victim of adverse business conditions and has filed for Chapter 11 protection. "The high cost of insurance the i... more

IndustryGulfstream unveils new product line

Orlando, Usa - Introducing new technology, new designs and other innovation

Gulfstream Aerospace a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has announced today that it has introduced a broad new product line that offers an exceptional combination of price, performance and... more

Latest newsMalaysia requested to buy F/A-18F aircraft

Washington, Usa - Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of this possible sale

The defense Security Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military sale to Malaysia of F/A-18F aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The Government of Malaysia has requested... more

IndustryCommunications at high altitude: the new technologies of Iridium and Blue Sky

Rome, Italy - They helped Lindbergh's grandson to accomplish successfully with his commemoration flight

Iridium and Blue Sky Network's technologies helped Charles Lindbergh III to accomplish successfully with his commemoration flight of his grandfather's Atlantic exploit. They let Charles Lindbergh's grandson... more

AirlinesBritish Airways to maybe get out from the Uk's top 100 companies

London, Uk - Price share still going down

British Airways (BA), the Uk's airline that for the first time in 15 years closed its financial year in red, could probably face exclusion from Uk's top 100 companies list. Tomorrow in fact London Stock... more

Latest newsUs military commission "justifies" bombing of a wedding party in Afghanistan

Washington, Usa - The attack was supposed to kill 48 people July 1, 2002

A US military commission said the bombing of a wedding party in Afghanistan occurred last July 1 was justified. According to this commission an AC-130 gunship attacked after four anti-aircraft guns were... more

AerospaceTRW defeated Lockheed Martin in satellite war

Washington, Usa - By winning aUSD 4,5 bn contract

Lockheed Martin, the Us colossus in aerospace and military industry,has been defeated by its historic rival TRW in the contract contest for the creation of a new meteorological satellite system to United... more

Civil aviationNotams outline flight restrictions for September 11

Washington, Usa - IFR GA flights to be allowed; No VFR or flight training

The FAA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that general aviation aircraft will be allowed to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) within the 30-mile, 18,000-feet temporary flight... more

AirlinesMesa Air Group: August 2002 traffic improved

Phoenix, Usa - Year-over-year revenue passenger miles increased 11.9%

In a today's press release, Mesa Air Group, Inc. reported its preliminary traffic figures, on-time performance, and completion rate figures for August 2002. Year-over-year revenue passenger miles increased... more

AerospaceRome parliament to discuss on the Russian-Italian agreement on space co-operation

Rome, Italy - This week

Summer is over and the Italian parliament is back at work. This week in fact Italy's Chamber of Deputies is going to discuss the possibility to ratify the agreement signed with Russian government in relation... more

Science and technologyBelgian police arrest baggage handlers for stealing diamonds

Brussels, Belgium - The stolen precious stones were EUR 1.5m worth

Police have arrested five baggage-handlers at Brussels airport on suspicion of stealing diamonds worth EUR 1.5m from mailbags. Three are suspected of stealing the precious stones from bags being loaded... more

Civil aviationPassenger with a knife attempts to hijack an Air Seychelles plane

Male, Maldives - The Boeing 737-300 was flying from Mumbai to Mahé

A man who brandished a knife on an Air Seychelles flight was quickly disarmed by the cabin crew and handed over to the Maldives police. A second passenger, suspected of complicity in the act, was disembarked... more

Fair and showsBoeing names Maureen P. Cragin as new communications vice president in Washington

Washington, Usa - Former Department of Veterans Affairs assistant secretary

The Boeing Company has announced last Friday that Maureen P. Cragin has been named vice president of Communications for Boeing Washington, D.C. Operations. Cragin, 38, joins Boeing after serving as assistant... more

Science and technologyAlert at New York-JFK

New York, Usa - Passenger first refuses to be screened, then disappears

Last night Terminal 7 at New York City airport has been evacuated for a couple of hours. According to airport authorities, the alert was due to the strange behaviour of a passenger, who first either refused... more

DefenseThe Iraqi issue: Berlusconi to meet Us president

Cernobbio, Italia - Next week in Washington DC

Next Friday in Washington DC, the Rome government premier Silvio Berlusconi will meet United States of America president George W. Bush, Italian minister of Defence Antonio Martino said. The meeting will... more

Civil aviationSeptember 11: as the whole world will remember the victims of terrorism

Rome, Italy - Flights cancelled, air patrolling over New York and Washington skies

As the first anniversary of September 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington nears, the whole world is getting ready to commemorate the over 3000 victims and to reaffirm its strong "no" to terrorism... more

Weather forecastsSeptember 2002: air shows and exhibitions

AEROSPACE CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION… Sept. 9-13, Palais de Congres, Montreal, Canada. Info: (604) 473-9664; (724) 772-4081; Web sites: www.aerospace-a.com; www.sae.org/aerocongress. INTERNATIONAL C... more

AccidentsUS Navy helicopter plunged in Persian Gulf waters (2): a technical sheet

Rome, Italy - Sikorsky SH-60B Pave Hawk (Usa)

Type: special operations helicopter Accommodation: 2 pilots, crew chief, 26 passengers Dimensions - length: 50ft - rotor diameter: 53 ft 8 in - height: 16 ft 10 in Weights - empty: 13.000... more

IndustryRaytheon Systems awarded of a over 5 USDm contract

USA

Raytheon Systems Company, McKinney, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $5,531,645 firm-fixed-price order to manufacture five receiver exciter processors for the AN/APS 137 radar on P-3C aircraft.... more

IndustryNorthrop Grumman awarded of a over 10 USDm contract

USA

Northrop Grumman Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $10,273,098 firm-fixed-price order against a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00019-00-G-0280) for the procurement of 58 various... more

AccidentsUS Navy helicopter plunged in Persian Gulf waters

Washington, Usa - A cameraman died in the crash

A SH-60B helicopter belonging to US Navy forces, plunged last Friday in Persian Gulf waters. One of the 5 people on board the aircraft, a cameraman at Los Angeles-based K-CBS television, died in the crash.... more

DefenseA400M: Berlin to postpone its decision after September 22

Berlin, Germany - After political elections

According to German ministry of Defence, Berlin government final decision in relation to okay the earmarking of the needed money to finance all the Airbus A400M in order will have to wait until September... more

HelicoptersIraq: helicopters and UAV may have a biochemical role

Baghdad, Iraq - British troops also discovered L-29 fighter jets turned into pilotless tankers and set up to fly very low

Iraq may be using converted Czech fighter-trainers as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) anthrax delivery vehicles as well as helicopters fitted with special spray bars, British intelligence sources are quoted... more

IndustryBombardier to conquer Asian-Pacific market

Toronto, Canada - By placing a 70-plane order to Shandong Airlines

Bombardier Aerospace, the Canadian regional jets manufacturer, placed a 70-plane order to the People's Republic air carrier Shandong Airlines. The CRJ700s aircraft will be the first regional planes to... more

HelicoptersPortugal to seek compensation from Eurocopter for delivery delays

Lisbon, Portugal - Nine EC-635 were to be delivered from August 2001 and April 2002

Portuguese Defence Minister Paulo Portas said his country will seek at least EUR 6.5m in compensation from Franco-German consortium Eurocopter for delays in the fulfilment of an order for nine military... more

AirlinesAlitalia-Volare code-share agreement to maybe face investigation

Rome, Italy - By the Fair Trade commission

According to what has been reported by AFX News, Italy's flagship carrier Alitalia could shortly face investigation. For AFX in fact, the code-share agreement recently signed by Alitalia and Volare Group... more

HelicoptersMan charged with shooting helicopter in Missouri

Springfield, Usa - The National Guard aircraft was flying over his property in a search for marijuana

A convicted felon is accused of shooting a Missouri National Guard helicopter twice as it flew over his property in a search for marijuana. The shooting disabled the helicopter, but the pilot landed safely... more

AirlinesDelta Air Lines to partner with Europcar

Washington, Usa - SkyMiles members now can earn miles for Europcar rentals

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, the U.S. airline with the most transatlantic destinations, and Europcar, the European car rental company, have announced today to have reached a new marketing partnership.... more

Military aviationAn Ilyiushin II-76 and a Mi-8 to extinguish fires in the Moscow province

Moscow, Russia - Russian emergencies ministry said

According to what stated by the Russian Emergencies ministry, an Ilyushin II-76 aircraft and a Mikoyan Mi-8 helicopter are going to support operations at work since few days to extinguish fires in the... more

CuriositiesHistoric Wright replica ready to take off for a Us tour

Reston, Usa - Next September 26 from Los Angeles

On September 26, flight lovers including aviation industry executives, federal officials, schoolchildren and "Orville and Wilbur Wright" themselves will gather near Los Angeles to inaugurate the plane’s n... more

Weather forecastsNBAA 55th Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando Expected to Set Records

Washington, Usa - 154 exhibitors and 151 aircraft on static display

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 55th Annual Meeting & Convention, September 10 to 12, 2002, in Orlando, will showcase a record 1,011 Exhibiting Companies, including 154 new Exhibitors,... more