AirlinesDOT approves Sun Country Airlines operativity certificate to be transferred to MN Airlines

Washington, Usa - Its new owner

Us DOT, Department of Transportation, gave its final ok to Sun Country Airlines operativity certificate to be transferred to its new owner, MN Airlines. On last April 15th, Us bankruptcy court authorized... more

AirlinesAir Dolomiti to strenghten its position at Bari airport

Bari, Italy - With a new route to Corfù and a second link to Venice

The Italian air carrier Air Dolomiti is going to strenghten its role at the international airport of Bari-Palese (southern Italy). As of next June 21st in fact Lufthansa partner airline will add a second... more

Latest newsFour Greek F-16 harassed a Turkish helicopter engaged in a exercise

Ankara, Turkey

According to Admiral Yener Karahanoglu declarations, four greek aircraft harassed a Turkish helicopter during the Sealion-2002 operation which continues in the international waters and airspace of Aegean... more

Science and technologyTroubles at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports

London, Uk - Because of a faulty operation in the air traffic control system

The London-based airports of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, today have been affected by delays and troubles because of the failure occurred at the air traffic control system. According to a British Airways... more

AerospaceShuttle Columbia: colonel Ramon not to fear terrorist attacks

Houston, Usa - Because of the severe security measures taken after September 11th

Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut to take part to a Us shuttle launch, does not fear terrorist attacks to hit the Columbia spacecraft. Ramon is in fact confident that security measures taken... more

PeopleUs DOT instituted the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry

Washington, Usa - As mandated in the Aviation Investment and Reform Act

Us DOT, Department of Transportation, yesterday officially set up the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry. This new federal body will analyze both market... more

HelicoptersUs helicopter killed, by mistake, 10 people invited to an Afghan marriage

Islamabad, Pakistan - In the province of Khost

Because of a tragic mistake, a Us army helicopter shot on group of Afghans gathered to attend a marriage in the province of Khost. According to Aip, the Afghan press agency, the incident caused 10 victims.... more

DefenseAfghanistan: Italian troops to remain until December

Rome, Italy - Italian Defense secretary affirms

Italian military presence in Afghanistan will be extended until December. Italian soldiers were initially supposed to stay until June, but Italian Defense secretary, Antonio Martino, affirmed that Afghan... more

AirlinesAmerican Airlines to re-style its website aa.com

Washington, Usa - "To offer users a simpler booking process"

Us carrier American Airlines announced to have launched the re-styled version of its website aa.com. The Internet site will enable users to access Orbitz booking system technology. According to an AA... more

DefenseFirst Usa-India joint military training in seven years

Agram, India - The last stop due to Indian refusal to nuclear non-proliferation Treaty

One hundred eighty Us and 150 Indian soldiers are taking part to the first joint military training since 1995, when military cooperation was stopped for Indian refusal to sign the Treaty on the non-proliferation... more

AirlinesMiddle East Airlines to choose IAE V2500 engines for its 6 A321s

Beirut, Lebanon - An operation worth USD 80m

The Beirut-based air carrier Middle East Airlines, is going to power its recently ordered 6 Airbus A321s with International Aero Engines AG manufactured-by V2500 engines. The operation, according to IAE... more

Finance and economyFinmeccanica loses 87% in its profits for 1Q2002

Rome, Italy

As published yesterday by AVIONEWS, Finmeccanica SpA has confirmed that its net profit in the first three months of the year fallen 87% to 13.891 mln eur from 104.627 mln as the contribution to earnings... more

Science and technologyPalm Beach airport face scanner failed

Palm Beach, Usa - Pilot program showed poor results

Facial recognition technology tested at the Palm Beach international airport had a dismal failure rate, according to preliminary results from a pilot program at the facility. The system failed to correctly... more

AirlinesAlitalia's Analyst Day: carrier management to meet some financial analysts

Rome, Italy - "To show strategies and programs"

Today in Rome takes place Alitalia's Analyst Day, a meeting in which Italian air carrier management meets financial analysts "to show strategies and programs" of the airline. Among air carrier targets,... more

AirlinesDelays and cancellations at the Copenhagen airport

Copenhagen, Denmark - Due to SAS personnel protest

This morning, because of a three-hour walk-out of the SAS personnel at the Copenhagen airport, 64 flights, mainly towards European destinations, have been cancelled. Workers'union decided to protest against... more

IndustryAerosonic awarded of a over 2 USDm increment on a contract

USA

Aerosonic Corporation, Clearwater, Fla., is being awarded a $2,184,000 increment as part of a $19,568,000 firm-fixed-price contract for an Altimeter Encoder. Work will be performed in Clearwater, Fla.,... more

Civil aviationNext Us Shuttle at risk of terrorist attacks

Washington, Usa - On board Israeli colonel Ramon

Acording to the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz, the next launch of the Us spacecraft Shuttle, scheduled for July 19th from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, could be at risk of terrorist attacks. The... more

IndustryDoncasters awarded of a near 6 USDm contract

USA

Doncasters, Inc., Farmington, Conn., is being awarded a $5,855,240 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract (DAAE07-02-D-N026) for nine separate AGT1500 engine compressor blades. Work will be performed... more

CuriositiesHares "assault" Aviano Nato base in Italy

Udine, Italy - They are supposed to represent a danger for take-offs and landings

Military officials of Aviano Nato base, in the north-east of Italy, reported that hares endanger take-offs and landings at local airport. Aviano military command asks local authorities to put down the... more

IndustryOptics awarded of a over 12 USDm contract

USA

Optics 1, Inc., Westlake Village, Calif., is being awarded a $12,345,898 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously awarded indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract (N68335-01-D-0293)... more

IndustryTCOM awarded of a near 19 USDm contract

USA

TCOM, LP, Columbia, Md., is being awarded an $18,810,700 fixed-price indefinite-delivery and indefinite-quantity contract to convert the four 420K Tethered Aerostat Radar System sites to fixed mooring... more

Finance and economyUsa-Russia: maybe they will co-operate on the creation of an anti-missile system

Reykjavik, Iceland - Talks to start next week in Moscow

According to a Pentagon officer, in his next week meeting with president Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Bush will likely ask Russian co-operation to create an anti-missile system. (m/cesn) more

AirlinesVirgin Express-SN Brussels Airlines cooperation likely to end

Brussels, Belgium - Virgin does not fear competition with Belgian air carrier

Virgin Express spokesman said that the low-cost air carrier has been considering for some time the possibility of stopping its cooperation with SN Brussels Airlines. "We do not fear to enter into competition",... more

AirlinesDelta Air Lines back on profitability by the second half of 2002

Washington, Usa - "Assuming traffic and yields continue to improve"

Us air carrier Delta Air Lines confirmed forecasts about the second quarter of 2002 to be better than the first one of this year when it posted a USD 401m loss. The airline stated in fact: "assuming traffic... more

AerospaceIss oxygen generator went out of order

Moscow, Russia - Crew members will not suffer air shortage

The failure occurred at the oxygen generator of the International Space Station (Iss) will not cause any air shortage troubles for the space crew members on board, as in fact they can rely on a sufficient... more

Latest newsIsraeli helicopter fired rockets at Gaza

Rome, Italy - In retaliation for a Palestinian mortar attack

An Israeli military helicopter fired missiles at a Palestinian refugee camp, in Gaza. Israeli military officials justified the act as a retaliation for a Palestinian mortar attack launched from another... more

AirlinesLufthansa to serve Newark on board of BBJs

Frankfurt, Germany - Leased from PrivateAir

Lufthansa, the Frankfurt-based German air carrier, announced yesterday it will start operating a Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) service on the Dusseldorf-Newark route. 48-seat BBJs, which Lufthansa leased... more

AccidentsAustralian fighter almost collided with a civil aircraft

Sydney, Australia - Defence ministry officially apologized

During a "dangerous" exercise, an Australian fighter almost collided with a Us passenger flight on the skies over Sydney. After any terrorist attack hypothesis proved to be out of question, the Australian... more

AirlinesEasyJet purchased Go

London, Uk - For EUR 500m

Uk based no-frills air carrier EasyJet announced today the acqusition of Go, former British Airways owned-by low-cost airline, for EUR 500m. To finance the acquisition, EasyJet will likely issue shares... more

DefenseBush was told of hijacking dangers

Washington, Usa - White House spokesman Ari Fleischer confirmed

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer confirmed that Bush had been told about the possibility of hijackings but he declined to say what had been revealed during his intelligence briefings. A Cia spokesman... more

AirlinesKLM to lease 6 B777-200ER from ILFC

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - With options on 4 more

Dutch air carrier KLM reached an agreement with ILFC to lease 6 Boeing 777-300ER with options on 4 more. Furthermore the Amsterdam-based airline decided to extend the leasing of other 12 ILFC owned-by... more

AirlinesVirgin Express and VG Airlines reached a commercial agreement

Brussels, Belgium - On the routes to and from Us

Thanks to the commercial agreement recently signed, VG Airlines passengers to and from Usa could reach 14 European cities aboard of flights operated by Virgin Express from Brussels. VG Airlines by the... more

DefenseNationalist Russian Mps against cuts of warheads

Moscow, Russia - Russia and Usa announced the agreement last Monday

Russian nationalist parties Mps roughly criticized the Bush-Putin agreement to cut their nuclear arsenals by two-thirds within a decade. The new treaty pledges a cut in arsenals from current levels of... more

AccidentsSecurity guards foils an Iranian jetliner hijacking

Tehran, Iran -

On board security guards have foiled the attempted hi-jack of an Iranian airliner, They overpowered a man who was threatening to set off home made bombs which were strapped to his body. The Russian-built... more

IndustryJSF project: difficulties for Boeing to get in the work

Washington USA

Boeing is unlikely to play any significant role in Lockheed-Martin's Joint Strike Fighter work despite several attempts by legislators to get Boeing some of the work. Boeing would be limited to have... more

AccidentsPlane crash in China: five out of seven foreigners' bodies recovered

Beijing, China - Thirty-nine corpses still missing

Five corpses have been recovered out of seven non-Chinese passengers who were on the plane crashed into the ocean off Chinese coasts last May 7th. Three Japanese, one South Korean, one Singaporian, one... more

Accidents2000 people took part to the funerals of the seven victims of the Baykonour incident

Baykonour, Kazakhstan - Each victim's family will have a EUR 330 indemnity

Today 2000some people attended the funerals held to commemorate the seven workers died in last Sunday incident at the Baykonour aerospace center (Kazakhstan), when the roof on an hangar collapsed because... more

Science and technologyAvoid to go Heathrow airport by car, from next year a traffic levy will be imposed

London, Great Britain

Starting next year will be unfavourable to go to London's Heathrow airport by cars, taxis or mini-cabs. Congestion charges, which are being introduced early next year to keep private motorists out of... more

IndustryMitsubishi Heavy Industries will take part, with a 7,5% stake, in the PW6000 project

Hartford, Usa - The Pratt & Whitney made-by engine

The Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will take part in the PW6000 project with a 7,5% stake. The Us aeronautical constructor Pratt & Whitney manufactured-by engine, which has already received... more

AccidentsJAL captain accused of death allegations

Captain Koichi Takamoto was piloting the Japan Airlines MD-82 on a flight from Hong Kong to the Japanese city of Nagoya when the incident happened in 1997. The Nagoya District Public Prosecutors Office... more

AccidentsNTSB recessed a hearing due to lack of valid witnesses on a crash

Washington USA

The National Transportation Safety Board recessed its public hearing on the crash of a cargo airliner. Member John Goglia, the Chairman of the hearing that was held last week, said he will reconvene... more

Press releaseBombardier customer Delta Connection signs for three more Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets

Toronto, Canada - An order worth USD 68,7m

"Bombardier Aerospace today announced that Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) has placed a firm order for three Bombardier CRJ200* regional jets. The jets will be delivered to ASA... more

AirlinesAlitalia-Delta Air Lines: signed a new code-share agreement

Milano, Italia -On flights departing from Milan-Malpensa

Us carrier Delta Air Lines and the Italian air route Alitalia, both members of SkyTeam air ways alliance, reached a new code-share agreement. The deal, which is going to operate as of June 1, concerns... more

DefenseAwacs aircraft to watch over next May 28th Nato meeting

Rome, Italy - In addition to 15.000 men and an Italian Navy warship

Security at next Nato meeting, scheduled for May 28th at Pratica di Mare (Rome), is going to be granted, a part from the deployment of 15.000 men and sea patrolling of an Italian Navy warship, also by... more

AirlinesSingapore Airlines awarded as OAG Airline of the year 2002

London, Uk - At the presence of His Royal Highness the Duke of York

At the ceremony hel in London attended by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Singapore Ailrines has been named OAG Airline of the year 2002. The Singapore-based air carrier won also other three awards. Among... more

DefenseNato summit in Reykjavik (3 ): 19 member states meet 27 "partners for peace"

Reykjavik, Iceland - "The largest political community ever seen"

The Foreign ministers of Nato's 19 member states met the 27 members of the so-called "Partnership for peace" this morning in Reykjavik. Among these country there are both candidate states to enter soon... more

PeopleCharter flights from Sicily to Russia

Palermo, Italy - Three flights a month to Moscow

Three charter flights a month will join Palermo, Italy, to Moscow, Russia and seven ones will land to St Petersburg from July to December. Five thousand people are expected to fly both routes from May... more

DefenseNato summit in Reykjavik (2): Nato and Russia "bury Cold War"

Reykjavik, Iceland - A new joint decision-making body

Nato and Russia have agreed to establish a new joint decision-making body to counter terrorism and other security threats. They "bury Cold War", commented jack Straw, British Foreign Secretary. The proposed... more

DefenseNato summit in Reykjavik: enlargement to east European countries postponed to November

Reykjavik, Iceland - Russian president Putin drops his objections

Russian president, Vladimir Putin, dropped his objections to Nato enlargement to east European countries. However, Nato's 19 member states did not take any formal decision about the entry of these countries... more

AirlinesIberia: operating losses of EUR 5.2m in 1st quarter 2002

Madrid, Spain - A large improvement compared to 2001

The Spanish air carrier Iberia announced that its operating losses amounted to EUR 5.2m for the quarter ended March 31, 2002, an increase by 90% compared to EUR 90.8m losses for the same period 2001. Operating... more