Civil aviationFAA okays bullet-proof doors for cockpits

Washington, Usa - Compulsory as of April 2003

The Us Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), approved a type of bullet-proof door which, by law as of next April 2003, American air carriers will have compulsory to mount on board their aircraft to secure... more

IndustryUnited Technologies Corp. awarded of a over 18 USDm contract

USA

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Group, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded an $18,523,657 firm-fixed price contract modification to provide for chemical mill combustion duct, 345... more

AirlinesCorsair ready to re-structure

Paris, France - Up to 200 jobs at risk

According to unions officials, the French air carrier Corsair is likely to introduce a re-structuring plan which would involve the cut of 160-200 jobs. Even though Corsair management has not commented... more

AirlinesAmerican and Northwest cut their business fares up to 20%

Washington, Usa - On the domestic routes where they compete

Two of the major Us air carriers, American Airlines and Northwest Airlines, announced yesterday they both will cut their business fares up to 20%. The move will involves the domestic routes where the two... more

AirlinesDOT okayed the strenghtening of American-Finnair co-operation

Helsinki, Finland - A measure to better connections between Finland and the US via New York and Europe

The American Department of Transportation okayed today the strenghtening of the already existing co-operation between American Airlines and Finnair, the airlines both members of "oneworld alliance". Thanks... more

AirlinesShake up at American Trans Air

Washington, Usa - A part from Tague's departure the airline launched ATA Charter

Deep changes are affecting the Us airline American Trans Air, as in fact a part from Monday's departure of John tague, CEO and president at discount carrier's parent company, ATA Holdings, the airline... more

AirlinesNorthwest Airlines: system-wide load factor raised in July 2002

Minneapolis, Usa - 0,4% above July 2001

Northwest Airlines, the Minneapolis-based air carrier, in July 2002 registered a 80,5% system-wide load factor, up of a 0,4% if compared with the same month of last year. Despite this positive result,... more

Science and technologyAuckland Airport could face pricing controls

Auckland, New Zealand - Because of its over-charging for services

Shortly the largest airport in New Zealand, could face pricing controls. In fact, according to a recently published report by the country's Commerce Commission, the handling agent of the Auckland airport... more

HelicoptersRound-the-world trip in helicopter to raise funds

Rome, Italy - On the initiative of a German dentist

The Founding President of the Kinderbaum Foundation, the Roman resident and German dentist Michael Schmitz, started his helicopter expedition with a Robinson R44 around the world, the "Global-Heli-Art-Tour",... more

CuriositiesTwo British youngster take off to Sydney in Australia and land at Sydney in Canada

Montreal, Canada - At first they thought the plane has been diverted

Because of a big mistake made while booking on the Internet, two 19-year old British youngsters who thought to take off to Sydney in Australia landed instead at Sydney in Canada. Once they discovered the... more

HelicoptersIsraeli helicopters bombed Gaza

Jerusalem, Israel - Targeted a suspected weapons factory

Israeli helicopters struck a suspected weapons factory in Gaza City yesterday night following a weekend of terror attacks that killed 13 Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces said its forces attacked a... more

Science and technologyDublin airport: 71 year-old drugs dealer arrested with 30 kg of cannabis

Dublin, Ireland - For a street value of GBP 48.000

An old man of 71 has been arrested at Dublin International Airport as 30 kg of cannabis has been discovered in his luggage. According to customs officers, the pensioner arrived in Dublin via Paris from... more

HelicoptersEstonian Air force receives 4 helicopters Robinson R44 from USA

Tallinn, Estonia - A EUR 1.9m worth donation

The Estonian air force received four Robinson R44 helicopters from US, a EUR 1.9m worth donation. The air force will use the helicopters for regular patrol and observation flights, but photo, video and... more

HelicoptersBell registers patent for support assembly for a rotating shaft

Washington, Usa - Patent Number 6425568

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting a rotating shaft relative to a structure in which a first magnetized member is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith, a support member is connected to... more

AirlinesRyanair posts 68% rise in first-quarter profits

London, UK - Total revenues grow by 29%

Ryanair has revealed a record increase in quarterly profits, boosted by strong performances from its new routes. First-quarter profits after tax rose by 68% to EUR 39m (GBP 24.5m). This compares with... more

Science and technologyFarc: bomb attack at the airport of Saravena (Colombia)

Bogotà, Colombia - One dead, 16 injured

Yesterday rebels of the Colombian revolutionary forces exploded a bomb at the Saravena airport of "Los Colonizadores" killing 1 people and injuring 16. Even though the main target of the attack was presumedly... more

AirlinesSeptember 11: British Airways to cut part of its flights

London, Uk - In the wake of Delta, United and American

After last week Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines announced their will to cut part of their scheduled flights for September 11, British Airways (BA) is going to do the same. On the... more

Latest newsUs fighters bombed Iraqi air defense facility

New York, Usa - The 25th attack since the beginning of this year

Us aircraft monitoring Iraq's southern no-fly zone bombed a military Iraqi site early Monday, U.S. Central Command said. Central Command said aircraft targeted an Iraqi air defense command and control... more

AirlinesFive airlines protest Alitalia recapitalization: "public aid in investment clothes"

Rome, Italy - According British Airways CEO

"Maybe we are malicious, but we think this recapitalization plan for Alitalia is a public aid in investment clothes", said Rod Eddington, British Airways CEO. British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, SAS, and... more

Press releaseQantas statement on Qantas Sale Act

Sydney, Australia - In relation to the removal of foreign investments limits

"Qantas Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon said today that removal of foreign investment limits from the Qantas Sale Act would ensure Qantas remained globally competitive and enhance, not diminish, the... more

Latest newsTwo SAS'soldiers of New Zealand airlifted out of Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan - They got injured in a road incident

Two soldiers belonging to the Special Air Service forces of New Zealand army in Afghanistan have been airlifted out of the country to a German hospital after having picked up by Us helicopters. As stated... more

CuriositiesIf you fly you will catch a cold

Los Angeles, Usa - According to researchers in California

A survey by the University of California demonstrated that an air traveler on five is likely to catch a cold after taking a flight. Within a week after a trip by plane in fact, 21% of 1000-people sample... more

AirlinesCathay Pacific to start new cargo link Milan-Hong Kong

Milan, Italy - Twice a week

Hong Kong air carrier, Cathay Pacific, inaugurated its new cargo link between Milan airport of Malpensa and Hong Kong. The flights from Milan will get to Hong Kong non-stop (Monday and Thursday), while... more

IndustryNorthrop Grumman awarded of a over 15 USDm order

USA

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a $15,503,150 order against a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00019-00-G-0425) for the modification of one Group II U.S. Navy... more

AirlinesAmerican Falcon rescued Dinair

Buenos Aires, Argentina - The loss-making Argentinian airline

The Argentinian charter air carrier American Falcon rescued the compatriot Dinair from a definite bankruptcy. Hardly affected by the economic recession in Argentina, Dinair has been recently forced to... more

IndustryBell-Boeing awarded of a near 66 USDm contract

USA

Bell-Boeing Joint Program Office, Patuxent River, Md., is being awarded a $65,900,000 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee contract (N00019-99-C-1090) for the definitization of... more

IndustryAirbus and Boeing to challenge in Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan - To supply 14 aircraft to Pakistan International Airlines

The commercial challenge between the world's largest civil aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, goes on, and this time lands in Pakistan. The plane makers are in fact now competing to win a USD 2bn... more

AirlinesMadagascar government chose Lufthansa to revamp Air Madagascar

Antananarivo, Madagascar - A two-year project

The government of the African state of Madagascar selected Lufthansa Consulting to re-boost its national airline Air Madagascar. In the next two years Lufthansa will take care of the general restructuring... more

AirlinesBelair to purchase a new Boeing 767-300

Zurich, Switzerland - And signed an agreement with Unitpool

Belair Airlines, the new air carrier launched by the tour operator Hotelplan, announced of having purchased a new Boeing 767-300 to be thus added to its fleet of two B757-200s. Furthermore Belair Airlnes... more

HelicoptersSix Russian helicopters Mi-17MD delivered to Colombia

Melgar, Colombia - "They ideally meet the needs of the Colombian army"

Six Russian helicopters Mi-17MD were passed to Colombia under a 36-million-dollar contract signed by Rosoboroneksport (Russian Defense Exports) and the Defence ministry of the Latin American country in... more

AccidentsEmergency landing for a helicopter in the surroundings of Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - The pop star singer Shakira on board

Because of the bad weather conditions, a helicopter, on board of which among the others was also flying the Colombian pop star singer Shakira, has been forced to carry out an emergency landing in the surroundings... more

AirlinesTunisair to renew its fleet

Tunis, Tunisia - By investing up to USD 510m

The North African air carrier Tunisair is likely to renew its fleet. According to Reuters in fact, the Tunis-based airline will invest up to USD 510m to purchase 12 new aircraft. In a study relative to... more

PeopleSixty-three Russian airlines have been closed in the last two years

Moscow, Russia - They used too old aircraft

Russian civil aviation chairman, Aleksandr Miradko, said Russian government has closed 63 air carriers in the last two years, due to their old fleet. Since Aeroflot's privatization started in 1992, hundreds... more

AirlinesRyanair: passengers number raised in July 2002

Dublin, Ireland - +41% in comparison with July 2001

In July 2002 the Irish budget airline Ryanair flew 1,46 million passengers, a +42% increase inn comparison with the same month of 2001. On a year basis, including July 2002, the Dublin-based airline transported... more

Accidents17-year old boy lighted a shoe on board a US Airways flight

Pittsburgh, Usa - The airline asked the boy and his father to make other travel arrangements

As it was taxing at the Pittsburgh International Airport, a 17-year old boy on board a US Airways aircraft coming from Toronto has been stopped by the flight attendants for using a lighter on his shoe.... more

AirlinesDelta Air Lines to look for a Us partner

Atlanta, Usa - As to reply to the US Airways-United Airlines code-share agreement

Delta Air Lines, Us third largest air carrier, promptly replied to the announcement in relation to the agreement reached by two of its national rivals, United Airlines and US Airways. According to Leo... more

Science and technologySix German airports have no ground radar

Berlin , Germany - Risk of collision with low visibility conditions

Bremen, Erfurt, Leipzig, Dresden, Frankfurt-Hahn and Muenster-Osnabrueck are the six German airports without ground radars. German air controller association said aircraft are allowed to land and to take... more

AirlinesConcorde discounted fares for British Airways employees

London, Uk - And for their relatives and friends as well

Even though its shareholders probably would not like the decision, British Airways has announced that its personnel as well as their friends and relatives could fly on Concorde at hard-discounted fares.... more

IndustryPratt&Whitney awarded of a over 25 USDm contract

USA

Pratt&Whitney, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $25,515,000 firm-fixed price contract to provide for overhaul and upgrade of forty each, F100PW200 engines to 38 F100PW220E engines and two each... more

IndustryBae Systems awarded of a near 10 USDm contract

USA

BAE Systems Inc., Austin, Texas, is being awarded a $9,945,239 fixed-price contract for 3,465,240 RR 188-chaff cartridges. The cartridges are air launched electronically reflective material used in a... more

Press releaseContinental Airlines announces nonstop service between Charleston and Houston

Houston, Usa - Effective October 1, 2002

"Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today (August, 2, editor's note) announced that it will begin twice daily, nonstop service between Charleston, W.Va., and Houston Intercontinental Airport, effective Oct.... more

IndustryMcDonnell Douglas awarded of a near 72 USDm contract

USA

McDonnell Douglas Corp., is being awarded a $71,694,971 cost-plus award-fee undefinitized delivery order for the procurement of the F-15 Operational Flight Program (OFP) Suite five Phase II Program. This... more

Weather forecastsAugust 2002: exhibitions and air shows

NEW JERSEY AVIATION HALL OF FAME TRI-STATE AVIATION EXPO…Aug. 14-17, Teterboro Airport, Teterboro, N.J. Info: (201) 288-6344; Web site: www.njahof.org. VIRGINIA AVIATION CONFERENCE…Aug. 21-23, Ram... more

AccidentsMilitary helicopter crashed in Colombia (2): a technical sheet

Rome, Italy - Bell 212 UH1N (Usa)

Type: medium lift helicopter Accommodation: two pilots, 14 passengers Dimensions - length: 42 ft 4 in - rotor diameter: 48 ft 2 in - height: 14 ft 10 in Weights - empty: 5997 lb - max T/O:... more

AccidentsMilitary helicopter crashed in Colombia

Bogotà, Colombia - Seven dead, one survivor

A UH1N helicopter belonging to the Colombian Army with 8 soldiers on board crashed in the area between Valparaiso and Solita, in Colombia. On board the aircraft, a gift of United States to the Colombian... more

AerospaceNasa spacecraft back to work by the end of September

Cape Canaveral, Usa - After weeks of maintenance

The count down for the new take offs of the Nasa spacecraft has started. In fact, as of September 28, the shuttle Columbia is scheduled to come back to work. The four shuttles belonging to Nasa have been... more