Press releaseSponsorship deal for British Helicopter Team

London, UK - Two companies to promote the event

"The British Helicopter Team, competing in this year’s World Helicopter Championships, has just signed a sponsorship deal with two prominent companies in the UK and European helicopter world. Hayward A... more

DefenseRussia quit "Start 2" treaty

Moscow, Russia - After Washington got out of the Abm treaty

After Washington got out of the Abm treaty to pursue its space-shield program, Russia decided to quit the "Start 2" treaty. A part from a political point of view, Moscow's governement decision will not... more

AirlinesQatar Airways launched its new route Doha-Frankfurt

Doha, Qatar - By 2004 the carrier predicts to have a 25 planes fleet

Middle East airline Qatar Airways, announced yesterday to have launched the new route which links Doha (Qatar's capital) with Frankfurt, Germany. 50% owned by Qatar's government and 50% by private investors,... more

AerospaceSpace-shield: yesterday's anti-missile test completed successfully

Washington, Usa - Now Bush pushes on Congress to earmark the funds

The anti-missile defence system tested yesterday in the Pacific ocean where a missile launched by the USS Lake Erie cruiser shot down a missile departed from the Hawaii islands, has been successfully carried... more

AerospaceMission "Endeavour": spacewalking surgeons repair ISS robot arm

Cape Canaveral, Usa - Shuttle Endeavour's landing back to Earth is targeted for Monday

The International Space Station's Canadian robot arm has a new, fully functioning wrist joint thanks to a successful orbital house call Thursday by a pair of spacewalking surgeons. Two astronauts first... more

AccidentsRecovered three more bodies of Taiwanese plane crash victims

Taipei, Taiwan - The total of recovered bodies is now 118 out of 225 dead

Three more bodies of Taiwanese plane crash victims have been recovered today, bringing the total recovery to 118 out of 225 dead. The China Airlines Boeing sank into the sea off Taiwanese coasts last... more

Latest newsIsraeli fighters violated, once more, Lebanese air space

Beirut, Lebanon - And breaking several times the sound barrier

Israeli Air Force combat aircraft violated this morning Lenabese air space, breaking several times the sound barrier. According to United Nations these Israeli air raids in Lebanon represent violations... more

Science and technologyBAA enjoys small May upturn

London, Uk - A 0.8% increase on the same month last year

Airports group BAA saw a small pick up in May after handling 10.7m passengers during the month, a 0.8% increase on the same month last year. There were also signs that the long-term decline in cargo tonnage... more

Press releaseNew Boeing service center in Wichita expands business opportunities

Wichita, Usa - Signed an agreement with Boeing Commercial Aviation Services (CAS)

"Boeing Wichita [NYSE: BA] has signed an agreement with Boeing Commercial Aviation Services (CAS) to establish a Service Center here for the repair and overhaul of aircraft nacelles and composite structures.... more

AccidentsTaiwan won't prosecute pilots involved in crash of Los Angeles-bound Singapore Airlines flight

Taipei, Taiwan - Two years ago 83 people died on the plane erupting into flames

Taiwan will not prosecute three Singapore Airlines pilots who tried to take off on the wrong runway and crashed a Los Angeles-bound jetliner two years ago, killing 83 people out of 179 on board. Prosecutors... more

Airlines"Swiss" to enter oneworld maybe in a year

Zurich, Switzerland - The entry "is a cornerstone"

The new born Helvetic air carrier Swiss Air Lines, according to what stated by its president and CEO Andre Dose yesterday in Washington, D.C, would probably enter oneworld within a year. To do that, Dose... more

IndustryNorthrop awarded of a near 6 USDm contract

USA

Northrop Grumman PRB Systems, Hollywood, Md. is being awarded a $558000000 firm-fixed-price supply contract to provide four ANNSLQ-32 electronic surveillance enhancement ESEE unitss ESE replaces unsupportable... more

IndustryAmec awarded of a over 22 USDm contract

USA

AMEC Construction Management, Bethesda, Md., was awarded on June 11, 2001, a $22,680,145 modification to a fixed-price incentive with award-fee contract for emergency repair and restoration of the Pentagon... more

IndustryRaytheon awarded of a over 5 USDm contract

USA

Raytheon Co. Electronic Systems, Bedford, Mass., is being awarded a $5,683,456 modification to a cost-plus-award-fee contract for fiscal year 2002 Patriot engineering services. Work will be performed... more

AirlinesBritish Airways crewman arrested for cocaine haul

London, Uk - He arrived at Gatwick from Jamaica

A British Airways crew member has been arrested after allegedly getting off a flight with six kilos of cocaine. The crew member was taken into custody by Customs officers at Gatwick Airport after stepping... more

AirlinesAmerican Trans Air as well files for federal loan guarantee

Washington, Usa - It needs USD 165m

American Trans Air (ATA) is going to become the third major Us airline, after America West Airlines and US Airways, to file for a federal loan guarantee. The airline in fact needs USD 165m in the attempt... more

AirlinesBritish Midlands to change its fare-structure

London, Uk - To reply to budget airlines recent success

The fierceness of the low-fare carriers competition push Uk's second larger airline, British Midlands (Bmi), to adopt a new fare strategy. As of today in fact, Bmi will offer its passengers just one-way... more

AccidentsUS Air Force plane crash in Afghanistan (2): a technical sheet of MC-130H

Rome, Italy - An aircraft for the transport and resupply of special operations forces

Type: transport and resupply of special operations forces. Accommodation: two pilots, a navigator, an electronic warfare officer, a flight engineer, two loadmasters, 92 troops, 64 paratroops. Dimensions -... more

IndustryAirbus confirms the delivery of 300 aircraft for 2003

Paris, France - A company's spokesman confirms forecasts

A spokesman of Airbus, the leading European aeronautical manufacturer, confirmed today the delivery of 300 aircraft forecast for next year. Airbus has been suffering, so as its American rival Boeing,... more

AirlinesMidwest Express back to black by the end of the second quarter 2002

Washington, Usa - Thanks to "successful efforts to lower costs"

The American carrier Midwest Express, according to its chairman and CEO Timothy Hoeksema, would likely come back to profits by the end of the second quarter of 2002. For Mr.Hoeksema in fact this could... more

CuriositiesHundreds of balloons celebrated Stockholm

Stockholm, Sweden - For the city's 750th anniversary

Hundreds of balloons took off last week end in Stockholm to celebrate the Sweden capital 750th anniversary. A part from traditional-shaped aerostats, also very particular balloons cheered the thousands... more

AccidentsRisk of collision between a Klm's plane and a US fighter last summer

London, Uk - A report unveiled the details today

A Klm's Fokker 50 escaped from colliding with a US Air Force F15E Eagle last summer in the north eastern skies of England. Klm's plane carrying 37 people was on its approach to the airport of Teesside... more

AirlinesBA inaugurates Connexion by Boeing

Rome, Italy - It allows to access to e-mail and Internet during the flight

British Airways announced that it will offer to its passengers the possibility to send e-mail and surf the internet during the flight. The test will be for three months, from February 15, 2003. BA is going... more

AirlinesSobelair to be sold to Belgian World Airlines

Brussels, Belgium - The airline led-by Aldo Vastapane and Luc Mellaerts

The Belgium-based air carrier Sobelair is going to be sold to Belgian World Airlines, the company controlled by the two businessmen Aldo Vastapane and Luc Mellaerts. Mr. Vastapane will be the chairman... more

AirlinesNorthwest to delay the delivery of 6 Airbus

Washington, Usa - Set to reach the carrier's fleet by 2003

"Star and Stripes" air carrier Northwest Airlines announced to delay deliveries of 6 out of 22 Airbus aircraft in order and whose arrival was scheduled for 2003. For Richard Anderson, Northwest's CEO,... more

Press releaseAir France's traffic decreases in May

Rome, Italy - On-time performance on departure for May 2002: 86.9 %

"Air France passengers traffic was down 4% in May, its capacity fell 2% and its load factor reached 74.6%. The figures were severely effected by several long holiday weekends during the month. Long haul... more

Press releaseAir France increases its flights to Antilles

Rome, Italy - One more flight to St Martin

"Starting from next July 18 Air France is flying non-stop from Paris airport "Charles de Gaulle" to St Martin, Antilles, on Thursday as well. It will be its sixth flight a week to the Caribbean town. An... more

DefenseUsa to supply missiles to Switzerland Air Force fighters

Washington, Usa - An operation worth USD 104m

Next July 6th, Us Pentagon is going to display Switzerland its offer to provide the European country's F/A 18 combat aicraft with air-to-air missiles AIM 9X Sidewinder. The deal, which is worth USD 104m,... more

AirlinesA new Boeing 737-700 for Air Mauritanie

Paris, France - It will be used for the link Nouakchott-Paris

The Mauritania's national air carrier, Air Mauritanie, purchased in leasing a Boeing 737-700 which will be used to serve the link Nouakchott-Paris twice a week and to reach capital cities in western Africa. Mauritanian... more

IndustryAlliant Defence awarded of a over 9 USDm contract

USA

Alliant Defense Electronics Systems Inc., Clearwater, Fla., is being awarded a $9,352,440 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-98-C-0006) to exercise an option for the... more

IndustryBoeing awarded of a over 268 USDm contract

USA

Boeing Space and Communications, Seattle, Wash. is being awarded a $26885522697 contract modification to implement changes as a result of a program transition to the Missile Defense Agency MDAA and directed... more

DefenseA400M: Portugal's giving up to delay Bundestag decision

Berlin, Germany - According to Cdu/csu spokesman

For Dietrich Austermann, spokesman of Cdu/Csu party and member of the German parliament Budget commission, Portugal's choice to quit A400m European project "could likely have unforeseen consequences on... more

HelicoptersBAE Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries showed interest in the ALH project

Bangalore, India - The light helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd

The two aeronautical manufacturers British Aerospace Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries, have evinced keen interest to co-operate with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to take its advanced light helicopter... more

IndustryBell-Boeing awarded of a over 24 USDm contract

USA

Bell-Boeing Joint Program Office, Patuxent River, Md., is being awarded a $24,400,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-93-C-0006) for non-recurring engineering design... more

DefensePentagon to test today its anti-missile system

Washington, Usa - Thus truly abandoning the Abm treaty

Today in the Pacific ocean, Us Pentagon is going to test its anti-missile defence system, an exercise by which Washington will thus truly abandon the Abm treaty signed in 1972. A Us Navy missile will... more

Sport aviationFossett postpones his solo round-the-world flight attempt in a balloon

Perth, Australia - Due to bad weather conditions

The American multi-millionaire, Steve Fossett, 58, decided to postpone the launch of his balloon from Saturday to next Tuesday due to bad weather conditions. Fossett will depart from Northam, Australia,... more

AccidentsA Royal Navy helicopter plunged into the Atlantic ocean (2): a technical sheet

Rome, Italy - Westland Linx (Uk)

Type: light multi-purpose helicopter Accommodation: 1 pilot, 1 observer/gunner, 10 troops Dimensions - length: 49 ft 9 in - rotor diameter: 42 ft - height: 11 ft 6 in Weights - empty: 6040... more

AccidentsA Royal Navy helicopter plunged into the Atlantic ocean

London, Uk - Rescue teams still at work to found two of the three crew members

Yesterday a Royal Navy helicopter with three people on board crashed into the waters of the Atlantic ocean as it was coming back to the British warship HMS Richmond, 200 miles far from Us Virginia's coast.... more

DefenseOver 84,600 reservists recalled in active duty

USA -

This week, the Army and the Air Force each announce increases of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization, while the Navy and Marine Corps announces decreases of reservists. The... more

HelicoptersLybia gives 4 military helicopters to Namibia

Tripoli, Libya - Two Mi-8s and two Mi-25 Hinds

Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi's Libyan government donated 4 military helicopters to the African state of Namibia. The aircraft, two Mi-8s and two Mi-25 Hinds, have been delivered earlier this year and Namibian pilots... more

AccidentsAn Air France B777 has been forced to an emergecny landing at Hong Kong airport

Hong Kong, China - Because its left engine burst into flames

After taking off from the Hong Kong airport, an Air France Boeing 777 with 274 on board has been forced to an emergency landing. Its left engine in fact burst into flames forcing the French flight Hong... more

AirlinesStarting from yesterday Canada has a new low-fare airline: Jetsgo

Toronto, Canada - It operated its inaugurational flight Toronto-Montreal

A new budget airline flies over Canadian skies since yesterday as in fact Jetsgo took off for its maiden flight Montreal-Toronto. "Today our load factor is over 73 percent," said Michel Leblanc, the airline's... more

AccidentsThree Americans die in Afghan air crash

Washington, Usa - The MC-130H plane was carrying 10 people

Three people died when an Air Force Special Operations MC-130 carrying 10 service members crashed in eastern Afghanistan. Seven survivors were being treated for injuries ranging from a broken leg to cuts... more

AirlinesLufthansa to fight against low-fare airlines

Frankfurt, Germany - By cutting some of its domestic fares

Deutsche Lufthansa AG as to reply to the smashing results posted recently by budget airlines in Germany, opted for the adoption of a fare-cut strategy on some of its operated-by domestic links. No-frills... more

HelicoptersIsrael orders eight AH-64D Apache Longbows

McDonnell Douglas Helicopter was awarded a USD 51.8m modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for delivery of eight Longbow AH-64D, government of Israel-unique new build aircraft and all efforts associated... more

CuriositiesBoy aged 13 charges helicopter, jet purchase on internet to friend's mom

Rogers, Usa - A USD 2m worth shopping

A 13-year-old boy spent about USD 2m in a science class buying a helicopter, a jet and other items over the Internet using a password belonging to a friend's mother. The boy made the purchases on the... more

AirlinesBritish Airways versus American Express

London, Uk - After Amex threatened to stop passengers to use its card to buy tickets

Yesterday, the London-based air carrier British Airways, decided to take legal action against American Express, after the Us credit cards giant threatened to stop passengers from purchase tickets by using... more

IndustryITT Aerospace awarded of a 9 USDm contract

USA

ITT Aerospace, Communications Division, Ft. Wayne, Ind., is being awarded a $9,000,000 undefinitized contract modification to perform critical risk mitigation tasks in support of the Crosstrack Infrared... more

HelicoptersBoeing delivers 30th AH-64D Apache to Royal Netherlands Air Force

Mesa, Usa - The first AH-64D for The Netherlands was delivered in April 1998

The Royal Netherlands Air Force, or RNLAF, has accepted delivery of its 30th Boeing AH-64D Apache multirole combat helicopter in a ceremony held at Boeing in Mesa. The commander in chief of the RNLAF,... more

AirlinesVirgin Atlantic to challenge oneworld triumvirate on the kangaroo route

London, Uk - By lobbying on British government

The Richard Branson founded-by airline Virgin Atlantic Airways, is lobbying on British government to get help in its expansion plan on Asian routes. Virgin Atlantic, 49% owned by the Star Alliance member... more