AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
101,306 news found

DefenseRussia will go on testing Bulava missiles
Moscow, Russia - Despite recent failures. The defense ministry: "We have no choice"
Despite the recent failures on Bulava missiles' tests, that led to the resigning of head designer Yury Solomonov (see AVIONEWS), Russia will go on testing these nuclear defense devices, Moscow's deputy-minister... more

OccurrencesRyanair aircraft forced to priority landing after a bird-strike
Dublin, Ireland - Diverted to Dublin for technical checks
The pilot of a Ryanair Boeing 737/800 (flight FR1109) en route from Derry to Birmingham has been forced to ask a priority landing in Dublin, Ireland, due to a bird-strike. The landing procedure has been... more

AirlinesAer Lingus delayed deliveries of long-haul aircraft
Dublin, Ireland - It will cap its fleet at 8 units until 2013
Aer Lingus, national airline of Ireland, announced today that it reached an agreement with Airbus to delay the delivery of 5 aircraft and to exit from the lease of further two before schedule. In this... more

AirportsItaly. Verona's airport: second phase for restructuring works ended
Verona, Italy - Passengers could usufruct of wider areas from today
"The second phase for restructuring works regarded about 2500 sm of departure terminal at 'Catullo', Verona's airport, ended. Thanks to a reconfiguration of spaces, passengers could usufruct of larger... more

SecurityNew FAA rules for ice protection on commercial airplanes
Washington, USA - Automatic activation or advice systems to help pilots
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a new regulation concerning safety standards for transport category airplanes to require either the automatic activation of ice protection systems or a... more

UAS-DronesNew class of heavy UAVs developed in Russia
Moscow, Russia - Usable for both reconnaissance missions and as strike airplanes
The Russian industry Kronshtadt has developed a new class of heavy UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for military use, the Dozor-3, to supply the country's Air Force with advanced battlefield reconnaissance... more

AirportsBologna's airport: +14,1% passengers in July, near to 500,000
Bologna, Italy - 6,5% growth from the beginning of the year
"The growth continues at Bologna's airport: in July the passengers increased of 14,1% compared to the same month 2008, arriving to reach around 500,000 (490,004), figure that constitutes the best monthly... more

Civil aviationBombardier received an order for five Q-400 NextGen aircraft
Toronto, Canada - By an undisclosed airline
Canadian industry Bombardier Aerospace has received a firm order for five Dash 8 Q-400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The airline which placed the order has requested to remain undisclosed at this time,... more

Fair and showsPoberezny: "AirVenture 2009 one of the best ever"
Oshkosh, USA - EAA president's statements on conclusion of the large Oshkosh air show
"It was one of the best ever". With these words Tom Poberezny, president of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association, which organizes the event), commented the 2009 edition of "AirVenture" held in Oshkosh,... more

AirlinesGaruda took delivery of its first Boeing 737/800 from DAE
Tangerang, Indonesia - With a sale and lease-back agreement
Indonesian airline Garuda, recently removed from the European black-list (see AVIONEWS), has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737/800 under a sale and lease-back agreement with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise... more

AccidentsThailand, ATR-72 accident (2): several foreign people injured
Koh Samui, Thailand - At least 56 out of 88 passengers on board
At least 56 out of 68 passengers on board of Bangkok Airways ATR-72/500 aircraft, flight PG266 from Krabi to Koh Samui tourist island in Thailand, involved in this morning's accident. The Italian ministry... more

IndustryEmbraer: delivered first 190 jet to Mozambique's LAM
São José dos Campos, Brazil - The airline also joins industry's Pool Flight Hour program
"Embraer delivered the first EMBRAER 190 jet to Mozambique flag carrier LAM – Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, during a ceremony held at Embraer’s headquarters in Sao José dos Campos, Brazil. The deal was an... more

Military aviationLockheed Martin delivered first C-5M to the USAF
Marietta, USA - The American Air Force will receive 52 of these aircraft
Lockheed Martin yesterday delivered the first fully modernized C-5M Super Galaxy to the US Air Force at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB, Georgia. The aircraft is the first of three developmental... more

AccidentsWreckage of Indonesian missing Twin Otter found
Jayapura, Indonesia - Few chances to recover any survivors
A reconnaissance aircraft has found this morning (yesterday evening in Europe) the wreckage of the airplane, a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 belonging to Merpati Nusantara Airlines, that went... more

SecurityFAA AD on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada model 427 helicopters (2009-15-15)
Washington, Usa - To requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information Federal Register: August 3, 2009 [Page 38340-38341] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14... more

AccidentsThailand: aircraft hit the control tower on landing. At least 1 victim
Koh Samui, Thailand - Heavy rain is likely the cause of this accident
A Bangkok Airways ATR-72/500 this morning skidded of the runway while landing, crashing against the old control tower, currently unused, of Koh Samui airport, where it had arrived after taking off from... more

Civil aviationECC-NET: accounting for one third of complaints regard the transport
Rome, Italy - And among these 80% of problems concerned air transport
"The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) handles over 62.000 contacts with EU consumers who turn to them for advice or for help with problems affecting cross-border shopping, both in person and... more

AerospacePreparation underway for next space shuttle launch
Cape Canaveral, USA - Discovery will take off for mission STS-128 on August 25
Preparation for next space shuttle Discovery's mission STS-128 to the International Space Station (ISS) are underway at the Kennedy Space Center of Cape Canaveral, Florida. The spaceship has been moved... more

AirlinesEurofly: trend of the management for the first six months
Milan, Italy - The net financial position is positive for EUR 0,9 million
"The Board of Directors of Eurofly has approved in the last days the trend of management for the first six months 2009. The net financial position at June 30, 2009 is positive for EUR 0,9 million compared... more

DefenseItalian Navy about piracy: "Borsini" patroller leaves the gulf of Aden
Rome, Italy - After its participation in the Atalanta mission
"The 'Borsini' patroller of the Italian navy leaves today, August 3, the gulf of Aden after its participation in the Atalanta mission: the EU-led operation to contrast piracy in the Indian ocean. The... more

AirportsPescara: over 60,000 passengers in July and a +16%
Pescara, Italy - The negative traffic phase ended, following to the economic crisis due to earthquake
"The president of SAGA (Abruzzo's airport management society), Vittorio Di Carlo, has announced, during a press-conference held last Saturday in airport, that the negative phase for traffic ended, following... more

OccurrencesTurbulence caused 26 injuries on Continental Airlines flight
Miami, USA - The pilot forced to land in Miami
The pilot of a Continental Airlines' Boeing 767/200, flight CO128 from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) to Houston (USA), has been forced today to request an unexpected landing in Miami, Florida, after 26 people... more

IndustryEADS DS wins the contract to expand Asia's largest TETRA network
Paris, France - After the Beijing Games in 2008 and on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1st, 2009
"EADS Defence & Security and Beijing JustTop Communication Co., Ltd have signed the contract on the Phase-4 JustTop project for the Beijing Government Shared TETRA Network. Mr Su Zhenze, President of JustTop,... more

Press releaseAustrian Airlines on the green light by EU Commission on its purchase by Lufthansa
Vienna, Austria - AA will improve its own economic position both in revenues and long term costs
"The EU Commission announced that it has reached an agreement with Deutsche Lufthansa AG on the takeover of Austrian Airlines Group. This means an important remaining obstacle to the successful conclusion... more

AirportsRome-Ciampino, acoustic pollution: ARPA sues Ryanair
Rome, Italy - Due to O'Leary's libellous statements on the Cristal project
Corrado Carrubba, extraordinary commissioner of ARPA (Italian Lazio regional environment agency) has officially taken an action against Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary due to his statements that Carrubba... more

IndustryAerolia will make Tunisia an important aeronautical pole
Tunis, Tunisia - The large industrial facility will employ 1,500 people by 2014
Tunisia aims to become an important pole for international aeronautical industry, thanks to Aerolia's facilities covering an area of 20 hectares north-west of Tunis. Aerolia is a member company of the... more

AirlinesAir France auctions A-380 seats for charity
Paris, France - On inaugural flights of the Paris-New York route
Air France has announced today the auction of 380 seats on each of its two inaugural flights on the Airbus A-380, operating from Paris to New York on 20 November and from New York to Paris on 21 November... more

IndustryAVIO for the Tranche 3 of Eurofighter
Turin, Italy - Worth EUR 270 million contract
"The contract for Phase A of the Tranche 3 of Eurofighter, after 18 months of negotiations, has been signed in Munich last Friday by consortium Eurofighter, Eurojet and NETMA: 112 airplanes, 241 engines... more

ReportPrince William took part in rescue missions
London, UK - During his SAR pilot training
Prince William, 27-year-old heir to the throne of UK, took part in several rescue operations during his two-week posting at RAF Valley search and rescue base. This period is part of prince's RAF (Royal... more

AirlinesBritish Airways halves free baggage allowance
London, UK - Economy passengers may carry only one bag instead of two
British Airways economy class (World Traveller) long-haul flights' (except to Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria) passengers will not be allowed anymore to carry two free bags but will only have the chance... more

Civil aviationACI traffic statistics in June 2009
Geneva, Switzerland - Down by 5% compared to the same month in 2008
"Airports Council International reports that global traffic in June 2009 was down by 5 percent compared to June 2008. Although markedly lower than June 2008, this is a clear improvement over the 8 percent... more

AirlinesAlitalia-Compagnia aerea italiana goes into the General Confederation of Italian Industry
Rome, Italy - Signed the adhesion to the Unione industriale di Roma
"Alitalia - Compagnia aerea italiana has formalized its adhesion in General Confederation of Italian Industry, underwritting the adhesion for the Unione degli industriali e delle imprese di Roma (UIR). The... more

HelicoptersHelicopter is Canadian drug traffickers' favourite vehicle
Ottawa, Canada - An inquiry by the "Associated Press" shows how hurdles are overtaken
For Canadian drug traffickers operating along the US border, helicopter is the perfect transport vehicle: even if it is not as fast as airplanes, it can fly at low altitude to avoid radars, and it doesn't... more

ReportIndian private carriers retire the threat of a strike on August 18
New Delhi, India - The protest due to high fuel taxes
Claiming a lack of support by the Indian government to challenge the current crisis of air transport, several private airlines belonging to FIA (Federation of Indian Airlines) had announced a strike for... more

Fair and showsAir shows and exhibitions in the first week in August
Rome, Italy - From today, on Monday 3 to next Sunday 9
Monday 03 - "2009 FAI World Championship for Radio Controlled Multitask Gliders". Ivancice, Nr Brno, Czech Republic. + 420 606 747 404 http://events.fai.org www.rcbrno.com - "5th FAI Women's World... more

AirlinesLufthansa gets EU tentative approval on Austrian Airlines acquisition
Brussels, Belgium - Final decision to be taken within the next two weeks
A step forward has been taken towards Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines merger after the German carrier had been granted the possibility to extend talks of a further month after the initial deadline scheduled... more

AirlinesAlmasria Universal Airlines in Turin for the first time
Turin, Italy - The airplane used is an Airbus A-320
The new Egyptian airline, Almasria Universal Airlines, has operated a charter flight on Turin-Caselle's airport, yesterday, on Sunday August 2, for the first time; the connection, coming from Sharm el... more

HelicoptersIndependent helicopter organisations form the new European Helicopter Association
Essen-Werden, Germany - After two years of intensive discussions
"After two years of intensive discussions the new European Helicopter Association (EHA) is now operational. The new EHA finally gathers under the same roof all sectors in the European helicopter industry,... more

OccurrencesItaly: aircraft en route to Egypt landed back in Cagliari due to an engine's failure
Cagliari, Italy - No consequence for the 150 passengers on board
Fear yesterday on board of an Egyptian AMC Airlines Boeing 737/800 carrying 150 passengers. While it was flying over Sicily at about 9,000 meters of altitude, an explosion and a sudden loss of power made... more

OccurrencesCabin smoke for British Airways flight in Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain - After landing, passengers have been evacuated with the slides. No injuries
The pilot of a British Airways Boeing 757/200, flight BA478 from London-Heathrow to Barcelona with 176 passengers and 7 crewmembers on board, had to declare emergency right before landing in the Spanish... more

UAS-DronesAssembly of first Euro Hawk for the German Air Force completed
San Diego, USA - It will be delivered by 2010
Northrop Grumman has finished assembling the first Euro Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the German Ministry of Defence. With a wing span larger than a commercial airliner and endurance projected... more

AirportsRome-Fiumicino: tenths of passengers left on the ground due to Alitalia's overbooking
Rome, Italy - The carrier refunded travellers that couldn't depart
Tenths of passengers, between 50 and 100, yesterday have been left on the ground at Rome-Fiumicino airport due to Alitalia's overbooking. Too many tickets sold more than the actual seat availability and... more

ReportAircraft with 16 people on board disappeared in Indonesia
Jayapura, Indonesia - Searches hampered by bad weather
A De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 of Indonesian Merpati Nusantara Airlines, en route from Jayapura to Oksibil with 16 people on board, yesterday disappeared from radars without leaving a trace.... more

UAS-DronesThe X-47B UCAS validated for carrier operations
San Diego, USA - After a two-month test series
Northrop Grumman has recently completed a series of static and dynamic proof load tests to validate the design and structural integrity of the US Navy's first X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) for... more

AerospaceSpace Shuttle Endeavour safely landed at Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral, USA - Ending mission STS-127 to the ISS
Space shuttle Endeavour landed at Florida's Kennedy Space Center today with a touchdown at 10:48 a.m. EDT, capping STS-127 mission to the International Space Station. Commander Mark Polansky is expected... more

IndustryLockheed Martin-Built Trident II D5 Missile Achieves 127 Successful Test Flights
Sunnyvale, Usa - Royal Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Launched in Test in the Atlantic
"The U.S. Navy supported the May 26 launch of a U.K. Royal Navy Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) built by Lockheed Martin. The unarmed missile was launched from the submerged Royal Navy submarine... more

SecurityAmerican Airlines inspects its B-737s for fuselage scratches
Fort Worth, USA - A precautionary measure wanted by the airline
American Airlines' Boeing 737 fleet underwent deep inspections to verify the presence of scratches on the fuselage, in particular near the main cabin door. It is a safety measure firmly wanted by the airline... more

Civil aviationBoeing delivered 78th B-777 to Emirates
Everett, USA - The carrier is now the world's largest operator of these aircraft
Boeing has delivered Emirates' 78th 777 yesterday, the airline's 45th 777-300ER (Extended Range). The Dubai-based carrier is now the world's largest operator of the 777 and the only airline to operate... more

Fair and showsCooperation agreement between "EAA AirVenture" and "AERO Friedrichshafen"
Oshkosh, USA - Visibility exchange during the respective annual events
"EAA AirVenture" and "AERO Friedrichshafen" organizers, two of the largest annual general-aviation exhibition and trade shows in the world, announced at "AirVenture 2009", underway in Oshkosh, USA, until... more

ReportItaly: Giovanardi requires cocaine tests for aircraft pilots
Rome, Italy - If found positive, their mansion will be changed
Italian Prime Minister's Office undersecretary with responsibility for anti-drug policies, Carlo Giovanardi, suggested to introduce extended cocaine tests, in particular for airline pilots and truck or... more