Airline Business articles from May 2003

Airline Business archives from May 2003

Going global.(air carriers)
May 1, 2003... Even the largest of carriers have struggled to survive the current shockwaves hitting the global economy. Regulators must surely now allow airlines to become truly global players, but carriers will need to change their model too. Rarely,...

Aerolineas plots regional growth.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Fresh from court administration, Aerolineas Argentinas is reporting its first profit in five years and plans to copy a successful Latin growth model by launching new regional units in neighbouring countries. Its $13 million net profit for...

DoT reaches alliance compromise.(among Continental, Delta, and Northwest Airlines)
May 1, 2003... The proposed alliance between Continental, Delta and Northwest Airlines is moving ahead again albeit in a modified form after US regulators agreed to a compromise put forth by the three majors. Alimited codeshare pact between American Airlines...

Summa marks birthday with Avianca Chapter 11.(Alianza Summa)
May 1, 2003... On the eve of its first anniversary, Colombia's Alianza Summa grouping has placed the US division of Avianca under court-supervised reorganisation in New York. This may be the first time a foreign airline has sought protection solely from...

Carriers lobby to prevent DHL gaining federal work.(DHL Airways)
May 1, 2003... The USA has moved to limit foreign-owned airlines from carrying cargo under federal contracts as the dispute over the control of DHL Airways continues. Rival air cargo giants Federal Express and UPS have long contended that DHL Airways...

Midwest aims for low-fares.(Midwest Express)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Midwest Express, known for its all-business-class service, will launch a leisure-orientated low-fare unit later this year. It has also suspended $9.5 million in lease and debt payments through to 7 June so it can negotiate lower rates. The...

In brief.(multiple articles)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Tilton takes pay cut United Airlines chief executive Glenn Tilton will take a 14% pay cut in addition to the 11% cut he took in December, dropping his base salary by $237,500 to $712,500, the airline said. United also asked its bankruptcy...

Northwest adopts new image.(Northwest Airlines rebranding)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Northwest Airlines has moved to rebrand itself with a new paint scheme that suggests a simplified and hi-tech look. The scheme, which chief executive Richard Anderson unveiled in an employee newspaper, replaces the red and dark-grey full-length...

Excessive executive pay comes under scrutiny.
May 1, 2003... Congress gave a new meaning to the old phrase about its "power of the purse" by moving to restrict airline executive compensation as a condition of receiving aid. The lawmakers added on to a $79 billion war-funding bill extra provisions that...

Sol wins rights in El Salvador.(Sol Air routes)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Sol Air, the Honduras-based startup, has won an eight-month battle for access to El Salvador and beyond to Miami. Since it launched US flights last July, Sol Air has faced stiff resistance from El Salvador-based Grupo Taca. Sol Air gained...

Mixed signals on TAM deal.(Varig integration with TAM)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The resignation of the controversial chairman of the Ruben Berta Foundation (FRB), the employee fund which owns a majority share in Varig, is the clearest signal yet in an otherwise confused set of messages from unions at the Brazilian flag...

FAA forecasts four lost years of growth.(Federal Aviation Administration)
May 1, 2003... The USindustry is on track to lose four years of growth according to the FAA, and even that counts on some optimistic forecasting, writes David Field Ever the most optimistic of forecasters, the FAAhas put off its expectations for a swift...

ANAswitches to Boeing fleet.(All Nippon Airways)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Boeing has secured a surprise coup over Airbus with a major order from All Nippon Airways (ANA) for 737s. ANA plans to order "an estimated 45" new-generation 737s to replace 25 Airbus A320s, 25 737-500s and two 737-400s. Under current...

China opens door to fifth freedoms.(small step into outside world)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Singapore Airlines (SIA) is the first foreign carrier to win rights to operate services beyond China to third countries providing further evidence of how China is opening its doors to the outside world. SIA's cargo subsidiary SIA Cargo...

In brief.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Thai approves A340 buy The board of Thai Airways International board has approved the purchase of eight Airbus A340-500/600s. The deal will go ahead, with the aircraft being delivered from as early as 2004, following final approval from...

Taiwan carriers cleared ; for China overflights.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Beijing has given Taiwan's China Airlines (CAL) and EVA Air permission to overfly China enroute to Europe in the wake of Taipei's more flexible approach to its relations with China. There was never much doubt that Beijing would allow the...

Competition bodies blast ANZ-Qantas alliance plan.(Air New Zealand)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Competition authorities have strongly condemned the proposed Air New Zealand-Qantas alliance in their draft decisions. Both the New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) disagree with...

Peace breakout promises prosperity for SriLankan.(SriLankan Airlines )
May 1, 2003... With peace finally a reality in Sri Lanka after more than 20 years of civil war, SriLankan Airlines is reporting a boom in business and is planning a major expansion after two years of rationalisation. The carrier, 43%-owned by Emirates,...

USA/Vietnam near to deal.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The USA and Vietnam are closing on an air services agreement after years of talks that could lead to US carriers serving Vietnam from next year. No formal air services agreement exists between the USA and Vietnam, preventing their airlines...

In brief.(includes multiple articles)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... India's Jet Airways has appointed Austrian Airlines veteran Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, where he was vice-president long term planning and alliances, as its chief executive. He replaces Steve Forte who resigned in November. Online travel...

Executive appointments.(at Swiss International Air Lines)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Swiss finalises new top management structure Swiss has recruited two further managing directors to complete a new executive structure designed to reduce the number of direct reports to chief executive Andre Dose. Ulrik Svensson, 42,...

Amadeus buys into Opodo as consolidation looms.(in online travel sector)
May 1, 2003... Global distribution system (GDS) provider Amadeus has taken a 16.7% stake in Opodo for c49 million, the online travel site owned by nine European airlines. The move comes ahead of a much anticipated consolidation in the European online...

SAS wields the axe in another bout of restructuring.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The SAS group is to undergo a further restructuring that will see another 4,000 job cuts, greater pilot productivity and more autonomy for its bases in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. SAS says the measures will save SKr6-8 billion ($700-940...

Concorde flies into history.
May 1, 2003... A combination of poor loads and rising maintenance costs has led Air France and British Airways to announce that they will cease operating their Concorde fleets. British Airways is planning its final Concorde flights at the end of October,...

NRB to shake up Russian aviation.(National Reserve Bank )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Alexander Lebedev controls a quarter of Russia's flag carrier Aeroflot, a third of its biggest aircraft lessor, and one of its primary airframers, but even he sees only a modest future for the nation's once enormous aviation industry. The...

In brief.(includes multiple articles)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... In brief LTU aid approved The European Commission (EC) has authorised aid for the restructuring of ailing German charter carrier LTU. Bank loans to the tune of g100 million ($95 million) will now be 80% guaranteed by the regional...

In brief.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Buzz deal completed Ryanair has completed its acquisition of Buzz from KLM for g20.1 million ($21.6 million) - nearly g4 million below the original price after due diligence showed up "a number of issues". The operation, which will employ...

In brief.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Lufthansa's big sleep From this autumn Lufthansa will begin rolling out a new business-class product including the introduction of a lie-flat seat for the first time. These will be initially fitted in its Airbus 340-600 fleet, with the...

Timetable for EC mandate slips back.(to negotiate an open skies deal with the USA)
May 1, 2003... The timetable for the European Commission (EC) to gain a mandate to negotiate an open skies deal with the USA is slipping as European transport ministers and the EC continue to debate the way forward for bilateral treaties. Brussels...

Carriers start new routes after Orly slot hand out.
May 1, 2003... Carriers start new routes after Orly slot hand out Each carrier has been granted enough slots by French slot authority COHOR to launch three or four routes from Orly, and are identifying which destinations they want to fly to and how soon...

Indian promise.(Focus on India, part 2)(India domestic airlines)
May 1, 2003... promise The second part of our Focus on India looks at a domestic air market stunted by high taxes but with the promise of growthFor a country with such a huge population, great distances and poor surface infrastructure, a remarkably small...

Data crunch.(airline passenger data rules clash)
May 1, 2003... New US regulations requiring carriers to disclose data on passengers run foul of European data protection laws. David Naylor, partner at London-based law firm Morrison & Foerster, looks at the implications for airlines In the aftermath of...

New Asian flu hits air travel hard.
May 1, 2003... Just when Asia-Pacific airlines thought they would weather the fallout from the Iraq war in relative health, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus has given them a serious dose of reality. Across Asia carriers are...

Latin beat.(Latin American regional airlines)
May 1, 2003... BYLINE: Latin America's regional sector is in a state of flux, with little by way of a clear pattern emerging across the region Summarising the evolving nature of the Latin American regional airline sector is no easy task. This is confirmed...

Lifting the cap.(ICAOConference on World Airline Liberalisation)
May 1, 2003... BYLINE: The ICAOConference on World Airline Liberalisation helped accelerate the debate on lifting nationality caps. The message for those states that still object or seek a slower pace, is that it is now time to step out of the way of...

Progress on hold.(regional airlines)
May 1, 2003... on hold BYLINE: Plans for flotations and progress on scope clauses are still in the balance as US regionals watch the majors restructure For regional airlines, there is no joy in the disaster befalling the major carriers even though in...

Scope for improvement.(aircraft orders)
May 1, 2003... An imminent order for a minimum of 100 regional jets from US Airways will be a rare glimmer of sunshine on an otherwise bleak landscape for the world's two remaining regional jet manufacturers. Although regional airline growth remains in double...

Squaring up.(European regional airlines)
May 1, 2003... BYLINE: Europe's regional carriers aim to make their voice heard as they battle against perceived injustices Times are hard in the European regional airline industry. On top of plummeting yields for business traffic - the bread-and-butter...

Executive appointments.(multiple articles )
May 1, 2003... Swiss finalises new top management structure Swiss has recruited two further managing directors to complete a new executive structure designed to reduce the number of direct reports to chief executive Andre Dose. Ulrik Svensson, 42,...

Recovery uncertain despite swift war.(Iraq War)
May 1, 2003... Recovery uncertain despite swift war BYLINE: Carriers are resuming services to the Gulf with the end of the Iraq war, but the damage done to traffichas pushed back the prospects of recovery and left UScarriers calling for state help, in...

Full of eastern promise.(Asia-Pacific region airline growth)
May 1, 2003... Present difficulties apart, the Asia-Pacific region appears to have plenty of growth still to come. But how smoothly economic growth will translate into a rise in air travel is not so certain, writes Chris Tarry. Over the last couple of...

Propulsion; Diamond Aircraft joins rotary club; Wankel engine will be offered for Katana motor glider after transfer to Austria and renaming of UKengine subsidiary.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Diamond Aircraft is to offer a rotary combustion engine (RCE) for its DA20 Katana motor glider after completing the transfer of its Mid-West Engines subsidiary from the UK to its headquarters near Vienna, Austria. The DA20-W fitted with...

Alliance; ANZ-Qantas grantedextension.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... The New Zealand Commerce Commission has granted Air New Zealand (ANZ) and Qantas a six-week extension - from 9 May to 20 June - to make submissions on the authority's initial rejection of the airlines' planned tie-up. The move will push back a...

SARS LEITHEn francis / SINGAPORE; Virus forces China Eastern to delay aircraft delivery plans ; Airbus likely to bear the brunt of deferrals as capacity cuts hit Chinese carrier.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... The aviation downturn in Asia caused by the outbreak of the SARS virus has forced one of mainland China's largest carriers, China Eastern Airlines, to seek delivery deferrals for aircraft due this year. Airbus would suffer most from any...

Ownership Aaron Karp / Washington DC; US investors in scheme to buy DHL Airways.
May 6, 2003... DHL Airways chief executive John Dasburg is leading a group of US investors planning to purchase 100% of the Chicago-based cargo carrier, including Deutsche Post's 25% stake. But DHL Airways will still have to defend its US citizenship status...

low-cost carriers justin wastnage / london; EasyJet opposes EC stance on slots.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... EasyJet is expected to present a formal complaint to the European Commission this week in response to its decision to grant network carriers a second exemption from slot allocation rules in light of the Iraq war. An EC amendment is to be sent...

Lease; African airlines add 767s for European flights.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Two African Airlines - Uganda's East African Airlines (EAA) and start-up Eritrean Airlines - are adding Boeing 767s for long-haul services to Europe. Entebbe-based EAA is acquiring a 767-300ER on lease from International Lease Finance that...

Results; Gulf airlines buck the trend.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Gulf carriers continue to defy the downturn and the impact of rising tension in the region with strong performances over the past year. Dubai-based Emirates has reporting a sharp increase in traffic, revenues and profits for the year to 31...

insurance Chris Kjelgaard / New York; US airlines face hard run for cover.
May 6, 2003... US airlines are desperate for their government to extend beyond 31 August the war risks insurance cover that the USFederal Aviation Administration has been providing since 11 September 2001, when US commercial insurers cancelled their war risks...

Production Paul Lewis / GAVIAO PEIXOTO; Embraer invites partners to set up Brazil operation ; Manufacturer hopes move by KHI to open local plant will encourage others to follow.
May 6, 2003... Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has inaugurated a new wing manufacturing plant in Brazil for the Embraer 170/190 regional aircraft programme in a move that the Brazilian manufacturer hopes will encourage other risk-sharing programme partners to...

Approval David Kaminski-Morrow / London; Hamburg designated Kosovo's official carrier.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... German charter airline Hamburg International has been designated Kosovo's official carrier by the United Nations-led authorities in the Serbian province. The moveis intended to help restore air links from Kosovo's primary city of Pristina. ...

fleet additions; Lion's pride at expansion.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Indonesia's Lion Airlines will receive another eight Boeing MD-82s by July, and will lease 10 Bombardier Dash 8-100s and up to seven Fokker 100s later this year if talks with GECAS lead to a deal. Jakarta-based Lion will deploy the eight...

NAVIGATION ; Eurocontrol deal signals way ahead for ATM.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... The Eurocontrol-operated upper area control centre (UAC) at Maastricht, Netherlands, has ordered an advanced air traffic management (ATM) flight data processing system (FDPS) that will upgrade its capacity and enable the use of future advanced...

Expansion Nicholas Ionides / Singapore; Royal Brunei reveals fleet overhaul plan; Loss-making carrier will replace existing aircraft with 12 narrowbodies and six widebodies as part of 10-year revamp.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Royal Brunei Airlines is planning a complete fleet overhaul and expansion under a revamp strategy approved by its board. The loss-making carrier's 10-year, B$1.12 billion ($630 million) business plan will see its fleet of eight Boeing...

aircraft development CHRISTINA MACKENZIE / PARIS; Snecma confident of more work on RRJ family.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Snecma is sure it will gain more business from Sukhoi and its partners on the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) family, following confirmation of the SM146 engine selection. The decision to adopt the 13,500-17,500lb-thrust (60-78kN) engine, which...

Start-up Murdo Morrison / London; Virgin plans low-cost US airline launch this year; Branson says group will take minority stake in operation for start-up "within six months".(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Virgin is in talks to raise funds to launch a low-cost US airline operation later this year. Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the UK conglomerate, which majority-owns international airline Virgin Atlantic, says he aims to have the airline...

missile threat; Israel warns of aircraft vulnerability.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... The Israeli civil aviation authority has warned that the threat of shoulder-launched missiles against passenger aircraft is "clear and imminent". The claim is contained in a document written by CAA director-general Amos Amir, which says...

Development; Aceair pushes its Aeriks 200 piston kitplane.
May 6, 2003... Aceair has launched its Aeriks 200 high-speed push piston kitplane and expects to gain airworthiness approval by the end of next month. Chairman Ugo Wyes says the USA is the key sales focus and the Swiss design team hopes to take the first...

aero 2003.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... The 14th European general aviation Aero 2003 showcase took place in Friedrichshafen, Germany, from 24-27 April. The show attracted 504 exhibitors and 47,500 visitors, with attendance on the trade days up 20% on Aero 2001. Justin Wastnage...

Growth plans Paul Lewis / Rio de Janeiro; Embraer wants a bigger slice of defence market; Manufacturer expects acquisitions in the longer term to boost global presence.
May 6, 2003... Embraer has set its sights on broadening out from commercial aerospace to play a bigger role in the defence sector - both at home and overseas - and the business aircraft market. In the longer term, the Brazilian company wants to establish a...

DELIVERIES; Business jet shipments take another nosedive.
May 6, 2003... The depth of the downturn in business aviation has become apparent with the release of figures that show business jet deliveries fell 42% in the first quarter. Overall, worldwide shipments of general aviation aircraft fell 16.4% in the first...

DELIVERY; Myasishchev poised for first M-101 handover.(Myasishchev Experimental Machinery, M-101T Gzhel single-engine turboprop)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... The Myasishchev Experimental Machinery Building Plant plans to deliver the first M-101T Gzhel single-engined turboprop by July - seven months after the six-seat aircraft received Russian AP-23 type certification and more than 10 years after the...

in brief.(multiple topics)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... aircraft added Jet Aviation has added four aircraft to its worldwide management fleet, including a Gulfstream V and a Bombardier Global Express. The move brings the total number of GV and Global Express business jets in its managed fleet...

development Graham Warwick / Washington DC; Safire to offer larger all-metal jet ; Manufacturer drops S-26 design and aims to fly twin-engined aircraft early next year, leading to certification in 2005.(Safire Aircraft Co. redesigns Safire Personal Jet)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Safire Aircraft has dropped its S-26 personal jet design in favour of a larger, all-metal aircraft. The redesigned Safire Personal Jet is to be assembled at Miami's Opa Locka Airport using airframe subassemblies supplied by US subcontractors....

ACCIDENT; First SJ30-2 prototype in fatal crash.(Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corp., light business jet crashes, killing Carroll Beeler, chief test pilot )(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... A Sino Swearingen Aircraft SJ30-2 light business jet crashed during flight testing on 26 April, killing chief test pilot Carroll Beeler. The first production prototype - N138BF - was reportedly engaged in flutter tests when it crashed north of...

Consolidation; EADS/Alcatel discuss space tie.(EADS N.V., Alcatel, possible merger of EADS Astrium, Alcatel Space)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Alcatel and EADS are to open talks on a possible merger or alliance between the space and satellite operations of the two companies. Alcatel chairman Serge Tchuruk believes merging Alcatel Space with EADS Astrium would benefit the whole...

Restructuring; American soldiers on without Carty at helm.(American Airlines Inc., Edward Brennan, executive chairman, chief operating officer; Gerard Arpey, president, chief executive)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... With the ascension of a new chairman and a new chief executive, American Airlines insists it has entered "a new era" and says it is hopeful that bankruptcy can be avoided. The carrier was able to finalise concessions packages with its...

Strategy; Finmeccanica to shed non-core sectors.(Finmeccanica S.p.A. refocusing on aerospace, defence )(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Finmeccanica is refocusing on aerospace and defence and will leave non-core sectors in the longer term, says Roberto Testore, group chief executive and managing director of the Italian state-owned holding company. Finmeccanica has...

Consolidation Michael Phelan / Bordeaux and Birmingham; European rocket leader to power consolidation.(Roxel )(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Recently formed Anglo-French rocket propulsion group Roxel is hoping to lead further consolidation in Europe's rocket motor market, as it integrates the former UK-based Royal Ordnance (RO) rocket motors division with French missile propulsion...

Capability gap Alexander Campbell / London; Europe 'needs new defence goals'; Leading executives call for higher funding and better government co-ordination to close widening gap with USA.
May 6, 2003... As the latest-generation fighter programmes move into series production, the European defence industry needs new and demanding goals, warns Saab's next chief executive, ke Svensson. Svensson, head of Saab Aerospace and due to succeed Saab...

LAUNCH Justin Wastnage / Mindelheim; Grob takes the wraps off G160 Ranger turboprop; Six-seat business aircraft to take on high-speed rivals TBM700 and Piper Malibu.(Grob Aerospace)
May 6, 2003... Grob Aerospace has launched its G160TP Ranger six-seat, high-speed turboprop business aircraft. The G160 will be priced at under c2 million ($2.1 million) and is set to compete against high-speed turboprops such as EADS Socata's TBM700 and New...

DEVELOPMENT; Kevlar drive belts ditched.(High Performance Aircraft)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... High Performance Aircraft (HPA) has ditched the use of Kevlar propulsion drive belts in its TT62 long-range turboprop pusher business aircraft to avoid lengthy certification delays. The Rostock, Germany-based company has changed the design of...

Wrong to say 'non'.(boycott of Paris airshow could backfire on US firms)
May 6, 2003... A politically inspired boycott of next month's Paris air show could backfire on US defence and aerospace companies Next month thousands of aerospace professionals representing hundreds of companies and organisations will gather at Le...

contracts.(industry briefs)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... n Boeing is to build an iron bird testbed for the Airborne Laser (ABL), to be located atEdwards AFB, California, under a $500 million USAir Force contract. Under a separate $200 million contract, the company will develop technologies for the...

Maintenance Stewart Penney / St Athan; DARA to extend its market reach; UK Ministry of Defence agency looks to widen customer base as it faces competition from OEMs for work.(Defence Aircraft Repair Agency)
May 6, 2003... The UK's Defence Aircraft Repair Agency (DARA) has held talks with manufacturers likely to offer aircraft for the Military Flying Training System (MFTS) programme with a view to assembling and later supporting the aircraft in the UK. DARA...

Missile enhancement; US Navy looks at man-in-the-loop for Harpoon anti-ship weapon.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Boeing and the US Navy are studying a development of the Harpoon anti-ship missile with man-in-the-loop capability to improve target selectivity and reduce the possibility of collateral damage. The US Navy's Sikorsky MH-60R multi-mission...

Electronic attack; ICAP III set for approval.(Increased Capability III )(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Northrop Grumman hopes to receive approval by June to begin low-rate initial production of the Increased Capability III (ICAP III) electronic warfare upgrade of the EA-6B Prowler. But with full-scale development of the Boeing EA-18G due...

Stand-off munitions ; Israel plans first live test of MSOV.(Israel Military Industries will test Modular Stand-Off Vehicle)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Israel Military Industries (IMI) is planning the first live test of its Modular Stand-Off Vehicle (MSOV) this month. The MSOVwill be launched from an Israeli air force Lockheed Martin F-16, then navigate to a preplanned target where its...

Transports; Ilyushin carries off contract for Russian airlifter.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Ilyushin has been selected to meet the Russian air force's requirement for a next-generationairlifter, beating the RSK MiG MiG-110, Sukhoi S-80 and a Tupolev design. Development is included in Russian president Vladimir Putin's 2002-10...

Procurement; Indonesia signs Russian deal.(Sukhoi wins Indonesian contract)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... Indonesia has signed a $193 million deal with Russia for two Sukhoi Su-27SKs, two Su-30MKs and two Mil Mi-35 helicopters. Deliveries are due to begin in October. The Su-30MKs are understood to be a customised Indonesian version based on...

Basic trainers Brendan Sobie / Singapore; South Korea exports first military aircraft.(Korea Aerospace Industries)(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... South Korea is exporting its first aircraft this week and aims to boostsales of its military trainers, in part by partnering a UKcompany for the UK's Military Flight Training System(MFTS). The country's first aircraft export, a Korea...

Unmanned Systems; Israel seeks mini-UAV for field intelligence.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... The Israeli defence forces ground forces command has issued a tender for mini frontline unmanned air vehicles to provide field commanders with an "over-the-hill" intelligence capability. Israeli and USUAVmanufacturers have responded. The...

Unmanned Systems Paul Lewis / WashingtonDC; DARPA moves to merge UCAV developments; Boeing and Northrop Grumman briefed on requirements for modified X-45C and X-47B.(U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, unmanned combat air vehicle, Boeing Co., Northrop Grumman Corp.)
May 6, 2003... The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has finally taken the first step towards development of a joint unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV). It has asked Boeing and Northrop Grumman to produce modified X-45C and X-47B...

In-flight refuelling Murdo Morrison / London; Final bids in for Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft.(Brief Article)
May 6, 2003... The two bidders for the UK's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme submitted final bids last week, and traded blows on the suitability of each other's proposal. BAE Systems, Boeing, Serco and Spectrum Capital-backed Tanker and...