AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,306 news found
SecuritySpanair accident caused by human error and technical problems
Madrid, Spain - An updated bulletin has been issued by the Spanish investigation commission
One year after the accident occurred to a Spanair MD-82 aircraft at Madrid airport, in which on August 20, 2008, 154 people out of the 172 on board were killed (see AVIONEWS), the Spanish Civil Aviation... more
SecurityInquiry on Hudson river accident: NTSB cancels cooperation with flight controllers
Washington, USA - They criticized the hypothesis issued by the US safety Board
The US NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) announced that it has canceled cooperation with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) within the investigation on the air collision... more
AirlinesContinental to join Star Alliance in October?
Washington, USA - Having received antitrust immunity by the US Department of Transportation
US carrier Continental Airlines, having received antitrust immunity one month ago (see AVIONEWS), announced that it is going to join the international Star Alliance group already on next October 27. If... more
SecurityThe air we breathe on planes might be toxic
Washington, USA - An American research might demonstrate the link with some symptoms reported by pilots and flight assistants
Air on board of planes in some circumstances might become toxic and cause problems to exposed people, such as slower reaction times, headaches, tremors and more symptoms. This is the result that is being... more
Military aviationMore than 60 Su- family fighters for the Russian Air Force by 2015
Moscow, Russia - The deal is expected to be signed during the "MAKS 2009" air show
The Russian Air Force might receive more than 60 fighters of the Sukhoi Su- family by 2015, with a deal worth almost US$2 billion that is expected to be signed tomorrow during the first day of the "MAKS... more
HelicoptersBoeing to propose helicopters to India
New Delhi, India - New Delhi is planning to purchase 22 attack aircraft and 15 heavy lift ones
The American company Boeing has decided to participate in the tender launched by India for the purchase of 22 attack helicopters and 15 heavy lift ones. The deadline for the combat aircraft proposals is... more
AerospaceLast modernized GPS IIR satellite launched for the USAF
Cape Canaveral, USA - While works go on on next generation GPS III systems
A modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force (USAF) was successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard... more
AirportsItaly: passenger traffic grew in July at Bergano-Orio al Serio airport
Bergamo, Italy - Confirming the positive trend of the first six months of the year
Passenger traffic on the Italian airport of Bergamo-Orio al Serio for the month of July 2009 confirmed the positive trend already recorded in the first six months of the year, with an increase of 16.8%... more
AerospaceRoberto Vittori to fly to the ISS for the third time
Rome, Italy - In September 2010 on board of the space shuttle Discovery
Italian colonel Roberto Vittori will fly to the ISS (International Space Station) for the third time, after missions "Marco Polo" in 2002 and "Eneide" in 2005. He will be part of the crew of mission STS-134... more
CuriositiesGermans land in Rimini to play the Italian "Superenalotto"
Rimini, Italy - Traffic jams at borders to try to win the € 135.900 million jackpot
140 German citizens landed yesterday in Italy at Rimini-San Marino "Federico Fellini" international airport on board of an Air Berlin flight coming from Hamburg and Leipzig. This is the second travel to... more
AirlinesCITIC to sell its shares in Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong, China - They will be purchased by Air China and Swire
CITIC Pacific announced today its intention to sell 14.5% of its shares in the airline Cathay Pacific within a deal worth about US$1 billion. Air China is going to purchase 12.5% of the Hong Kong carrier,... more
ReportRussia, a rescue airplane for Nazran bomb's victims
Moscow, Russia - A new terrorist action in the Ingushetia region
The Russian government has made an Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft available to supply rescue and support to the victims of a bomb exploded today in Nazran, in the Ingushetia region. The toll so far is of... more
Fair and showsRussian display team renounces to "MAKS 2009" following accident
Moscow, Russia - All other squadrons will regularly take part in the air show
The Russian display team "Russian Knights" will not take part in the "MAKS 2009" air show, that will be held from August 18 to 23 at Zhukovsky airfield, following the collision between two Sukhoi Su-27... more
HelicoptersBoeing received an order for 15 Chinooks from Canada
Halifax, Canada - With a contract worth US$1.15 billion
Boeing announced that it has received a US$1.15 billion contract from the Canadian government for 15 new CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Under the contract, Boeing will match Canada's purchase price... more
Civil aviationThe UK will finance the A-350XWB, too
London, UK - With an investment of € 394 million
The government of the UK joined those of France, Germany and Spain (Airbus's partners in the EADS consortium) approving a GBP 340 million (€ 394 million) financing for the A-350XWB project, European a... more
SecurityFAA requires new safety measures for New York
New York, USA - The report will be delivered to administrator Babbit by August 28
Following a recent accident in which 9 people were killed, in the collision between a helicopter and a small airplane in New York's airspace, the Federal Aviation Administration convened a New York Airspace... more
OccurrencesPriority landing in Panama for American Airlines airplane
Panama City, Panama - Due to the presence of smoke in the cabin
The pilot of an American Airlines Boeing 750/200, flight AA960 from Panama City to Miami with 190 passengers on board, was forced to invert the route and to request the possibility of a priority landing... more
AccidentsCollision between two Russian Su-27 fighters, one pilot killed
Moscow, Russia - Also five civilians on the ground involved in the accident
The pilot of a Suhkoi Su-27UB Flanker fighter jet of the Russian display team "Russian Knights" died yesterday following the mid air collision between his two-seat aircraft and another single-seat Su-27.... more
AccidentsNew York air collision: a flight controller under investigation
New York, USA - He was on phone at the time of the accident
Investigations go on following Saturday August 8's tragedy over the Hudson river, in which 9 people were killed in the collision between an helicopter, Eurocopter AS-350BA operated by Liberty Helicopters,... more
AirlinesBALPA: "Ryanair pilots want union recognition"
London, UK - Despite the heavy campaign carried out by the airline
Commenting on a press release issued by Ryanair according to which its pilots would be against a possible union recognition (currently they negotiate directly with the carrier), BALPA (British Airline... more
Civil aviationItalian ENAV gets European financing for satellite control system
Rome, Italy - The ADS-B network will allow surveillance in areas not reached by radars
The Italian ENAV (Civil Aviation Company) announced today that it has received a € 5 million financing from the European Commission to develop a surveillance system for aircraft in zones where the traditional s... more
Press releaseItalian ENAC granted certification to SuperJet International
Rome, Italy - To perform technical training courses on the aircraft
"The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) announced today that it has granted, according to Part 147, SuperJet International joint-venture between Alenia Aeronautica and Sukhoi Holding) the certification... more
AirportsAeroporto di Firenze: approval of the financial report for six months 2009
Florence, Italy - Angelo Falchetti has been designed as member of the Board
"AdF, Aeroporto di Firenze, communicates the approval of the financial six month report on June 30, 2009. The highlights of the data: - Revenue equal to EUR 17,0 million, -8,1% compared to the first... more
IndustryWorks started for new Airbus A-350XWB's production hangar
Augsburg, Germany - It will be used for the aft part of the fuselage
Premium AEROTEC yesterday has begun the construction of the new 25,000 squared meters hangar, which will be the manufacturing plant for carbon fiber composite components of the new Airbus A-350XWB, of... more
MiscellaneousAVIONEWS wishes for good August holidays
Rome, Italy - The Agency will open again on Monday 17
AVIONEWS communicates to its readers and subscribers will be closed, for August holidays, for the entire next week. The Agency will restart its normal operations on Monday 17, even if in a slightly... more
AirportsRome-Fiumicino airport blocked by check-in failure
Rome, Italy - Between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm due to a network problem
Rome-Fiumicino airport's check-in didn't chose the right moment to fail today, when it blocked the airport for a couple of hours. Delayed flights and neverending queues caused the understandable protests... more
SecurityFAA AD on BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) model 4101 airplanes (2009-16-01)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 38912-38914] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
SecurityFAA AD on Agusta SpA model AB-139 and AW-139 helicopters (2009-15-14)
Washington, Usa - To prevent the fire extinguishing agent from not discharging toward the engine with the fire, which could result in loss of the helicopter due to an engine fire
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 38899-38901] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
SecurityFAA AD on Pilatus Aircraft Limited model PC-7 airplanes (2009-16-02)
Washington, Usa - To identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: (Volume 74, Number 149) [Page 38894-38895] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more
AirlinesQantas sees mergers not before 10 years
Sydney, Australia - At least one airline will pull itself off the Australia-USA routes
Qantas is not going to merge with other airlines for the next 10 years. This is the prevision made by CEO Alan Joyce in the light of the current economical and operational conditions of air transport market... more
SecurityFAA AD on Boeing model 767 airplanes (2009-16-06)
Washington, Usa - To prevent an overheat condition outside the center tank fuel pump explosion-resistance area that is open to the pump inlet, which could cause an ignition source in the fuel tank and loss of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: [Page 38905-38910] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part... more
Military aviationSouth Korea to produce its own F-16 flight simulators
Seoul, South Korea - To allow pilots to stay up-to-date amid the high fuel costs
South Korean DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration) announced that the Asian country is going to produce about 12 Lockheed Martin F-16/KF-16 Fighting Falcon flight simulators of its own. This... more
CuriositiesHeathrow: passenger got naked to protest against security checks
London, UK - He has been arrested on the spot. The staff: "He was hardly built like Rambo"
A passenger at London-Heathrow airport, when security staff asked him to remove shoes and belt before passing under the metal detector, definitely had a bad reaction yesterday: the man, a 49-year-old German,... more
AirlinesFinnair CEO resigned
Vantaa, Finland - The carrier reported strong losses in second quarter of 2009
Jukka Hienonen, Finnair CEO, resigned today following strong losses recorded by the carrier in the second quarter of 2009: €32,5 million. In the same period last year the Finnish airline had reported a... more
IndustryAirbus completes second A350 XWB test barrel (all CFRP)
Toulouse, France - It measures 18 metres in length and more than six metres in diameter
"This second-generation of CFRP fuselage demonstrator was designed to be very close to the final design of the A-350XWB fuselage as it will be used for certification of design principles and sizing methods... more
HelicoptersForest police S-64 helicopter grounded in Italy due to structural damages
Cagliari, Italy - New problems for an Erickson Aircrane
Reliable sources told AVIONEWS that an S-64E Erickson Aircrane would have been grounded in Sardinia due to the presence of cracks on the main rotor head scissor hinge. The aircraft, used in the region... more
AerospaceTelespazio signed a contract for satellite communications services
Rome, Italy - For a worth around 30 million euro with Poland
"Ministry of Defense of Poland and Telespazio – a Finmeccanica/Thales company – has signed in Warsaw a contract, worth around 30 million euro for a duration of more than 10 years, to provide Italian Sic... more
Fair and showsAir shows and exhibitions in the third week in August
Rome, Italy - From Monday 17 to Sunday 23
Monday 17 - "The Flatland Cup, Gliding Championship". Szeged, Hungary. + 36 62 541 670 http://events.fai.org www.flatlandcup.hu/2009 - "34th CISM World Military Parachuting Championship". Lucenec,... more
ReportTaliban leader likely killed in US drone attack
Makeen, Pakistan - Head of Pakistani rebels
Pakistani Taliban leader, Baitullah Mehsud, might have been killed together with his wife in an attack performed by an American drone in Makeen, south-Waziristan region, Islamabad's interiors minister... more
Civil aviationEUROCONTROL: guidelines for the potential impact of windfarms on air surveillance systems
Brussels, Belgium - The consultation period will be open until the end of next January
"EUROCONTROL (European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation) has developed draft guidelines on how to assess and mitigate the effects of windfarms on the performance of a range of surveillance... more
SecurityFAA announces new regulation on pilots' fatigue
Washington, USA - Babbitt: "We cannot regulate professionalism"
Randolph Babbitt, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) administrator, announced in a speech in front of ALPA (Airline Pilots Association) new rules concerning the problem of pilots' fatigue. "We will... more
AirlinesUS$ 1 billion loss for Japan Airlines
Tokyo, Japan - In the second quarter of 2009
Record loss announced today by Japan Airlines (JAL) for the second quarter of 2009. The negative result in fact has been of US$1 billion (99 billion Yen), more than the total loss for the entire year 2008.... more
AirlinesEgyptAir changes B-777 order with B-737
Seattle, USA - To enhance operations on its Cairo hub
EgyptAir has converted a previous order for two Boeing 777 aircraft into an order for an additional eight Next-Generation 737/800s. The airline currently has seven 737/800s in operation and it is taking... more
AirlinesContinental Airlines begins new non-stop service from Honolulu and Guam to Nadi, Fiji
Houston, Usa - Beginning December 18, 2009
"Continental Airlines announced new service from its Guam hub and Honolulu to Nadi, Fiji beginning Dec. 18, 2009. The flights will also offer convenient connections from the U.S. mainland, Japan and Continental's... more
AirportsAeroporti di Roma: board approves results of first semester 2009
Rome, Italy - Results influenced by drop in traffic volume
"The Board of Directors of Aeroporti di Roma SpA, chaired by dott. Fabrizio Palenzona, examined ADR Group consolidated results at the end of the first semester of 2009. In the first six months of the... more
AirlinesAmerican airlines: fewer seats sold in July, but fuller aircraft
Washington, USA - Apart from JetBlue, load factor increased for all carriers
Despite they sold fewer seats, American airlines managed to fly fuller planes in the last month of July. This due to capacity reduction policies carried out by the airlines, apart from JetBlue, in recent... more
IndustryNorthrop Grumman selects Moog to provide systems for fatigue tests on aircraft
Amsterdam, The Netherlands - An order for a 160 channel test controller
"Moog’s Industrial Group, a division of Moog Inc. announced that Northrop Grumman Corporation has placed an order for a 160-channel test controller system to perform full-scale fatigue testing on the E... more
Fair and showsAir shows and exhibitions in the second week in August
Rome, Italy - From Monday 10 to Sunday 16
Monday 10 - "2009 XC-Open Paragliding World Series". Sopot, Bulgaria. + 359 3134 4251 http://events.fai.org www.xc-open.org - "The Flatland Cup, Gliding Championship". Szeged, Hungary. + 36 62 541... more
AccidentsSwedish Gripen caught fire on landing. Pilot safe
Kallinge, Sweden - Likely the gear didn't extend
A Swedish Air Force Saab JAS-39 Gripen caught fire today on the runway of Kallinge airport, in Sweden, after landing. The fire burst on contact of the gear with the ground. Luckily the pilot managed to... more
CuriositiesAirbus: keep the kids busy learning about biodiversity
Toulouse, France - The industry launches a photo contest
"You don't have to go far to begin exploring nature. A variety of plant and animal life is right outside your front door, if you look closely. The 'See the Bigger Picture' photo contest encourages children... more