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

IndustryRaytheon and Lockheed Martin awarded of a near 8 USDm contract

USA

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $7,801,987 modification to a cost-plus award-fee contract (DAAH01-01-C-0027), for 73,083 hours of engineering services effort to support... more

HelicoptersPublic mea culpa of Comanche project managers

Nashville, USA

During a packed press conference at Army Aviation Association of America exhibition, the Comanche team admitted their responsibilities in delays and problems emerged for the RAH-66 Boeing-Sikorsky helicopter... more

Weather forecastsArmy Aviation Association of America: many UAVs exposed

Nashville, USA

A slew of vertical flight UAVs were on the floor at the U.S. Army’s aviation show in Nashville. All are vying for attention and maybe a demonstration contract or two. The list included: the Vigilante, c... more

AccidentsBaykonour incident: 8th corpse yet to be found

Baykonour, Kazakhstan - New collapses feared

One of the 8 workers on the roof collapsed last Sunday at the Baykonour aerospace center in Kazakhstan, is still missing. In the meanwhile, as other collapses are feared to occur, security measures deny... more

Fair and showsMarie Ehrling quit SAS

Stockholm, Sweden - After reorganization plan eliminated its position

Scandinavian group SAS announced yesterday that Marie Ehrling, its executive vice president and head of SAS airline, decided to resign. Restructuring plan would not involve her previously covered position... more

AirlinesAir France: financial results for fiscal year 2001/2002

Rome, Italy

In the fourth quarter (January-March) registered a 1.5% growth in turnover to 3.04 billion euros Seat load factor up 1.8 points and an increase in unit revenue per available seat-km. The annual turnover... more

Defense15.000 men will grant security at next May 28th Nato meeting in Italy

Rome, Italy - As stated by the premier Berlusconi

According to Silvio Berlusconi, Italian prime minister, 15.000 men will be employed to grant security at the Nato meeting scheduled for next May 28th at Pratica di Mare (Rome), within which Russia is going... more

DefenseGreece to stop Nato-Eu agreement

Reykjavik, Iceland - On the creation of a European armed intervention force

Greece seems likely not to slacken from its position to stop the Nato-Eu agreement concerning the creation of a European armed intervention force. At the International Affairs ministers meeting of the... more

AirlinesLufthansa: doubled loss in the first quarter 2002

Frankfurt, Germany - EUR 186m in comparison with EUR 94m registered in 2001

Another harsh outcome for the German air carrier Lufthansa, has in fact it posted a EUR 186m loss in the first quarter of 2002, thus almost doubling last year's one (EUR 94m). Good data come instead from... more

AerospaceChina Launched its 25th Long March missile

Beijing, China - Yesterday from Taiyuan

Yesterday a Chinese Long March missile launched into orbit two satellites from the aerospace center of Taiyuan, northern China. These two new satellites, Fengyun-1D e Haiyang-1, will be employed one in... more