During the trials, the fourth AW609 tiltrotor prototype, AC4, showcased approach, deck landing, and touchdown capabilities from the flagship of the Italian Navy, the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour.  

According to Leonardo, the trials involved comprehensive testing, including deck landing and takeoff procedures in over 15 different conditions, using a fully synthetic environment and the AW609 development/engineering simulator in Cascina Costa.  

With its tilting rotors, the AW609 is capable of vertical takeoff and landing and can reach a top speed of 500 kilometers per hour (270 knots), far superior to a standard helicopter’s performance. Equipped with two Pratt & Whitney PT6 engines, it can cover distances of more than 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) while accommodating between nine and 12 passengers. 

鈥淔ast rotorcraft technologies continue to be core to our forward-looking capability development and value-proposition in the vertical lift domain, which has been extensively demonstrated by the progress on the AW609 tiltrotor programme,鈥� said Lorenzo Mariani, Co-General Manager of Leonardo.  

This initiative is part of ongoing activities by a joint working group established in 2022, comprising Leonardo, the Italian Navy, the Italian Army, and Guardia di Finanza, to evaluate the potential of tiltrotor technologies to complement existing government assets. Currently, the ITS Cavour uses AgustaWestland AW101 medium-lift helicopters听

Following the successful ship trials, Leonardo will analyze the collected data to enhance the platform for naval operations. The AW609 tiltrotor has already accumulated over 1,900 flight hours in Italy and the United States. 

Bell精东影业 new vehicle concept can take off like a helicopter, and fly like a jet

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2021-08-11

The transfer was first reported by the daily . Previously deployed to Slovakia as part of a NATO mission, this system will soon be transferred to the Ukrainian armed forces. 

Italy’s next support package reportedly includes the SAMP/T MAMBA, Stinger man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), and SCALP-EG/Storm Shadow long-range missiles. The details of the aid package, including the SAMP/T system, are expected to be finalized by mid-June 2024 before being ratified by the Italian Parliament.

This will mark the second MAMBA system to be delivered to Ukraine. In May 2023, Italy and France collaborated to provide a complete system featuring one command and control system connected to a multi-function Arabel radar and up to six vertical launchers, each equipped with eight ASTER 30 missiles. 

The MAMBA system is designed to track 100 trajectories and engage ten simultaneously, with up to 48 missiles ready to fire. It is the only European system designed to counter ballistic missiles. The ASTER 30 interceptor missile developed by MBDA can hit aircraft up to 120 kilometers away and ballistic missiles at 30 kilometers. 

The system has been in operation with the French and Italian armed forces since 2010 and is available in limited quantities. The 1st Air Artillery Regiment of the French Air and Space Force reported operating eight MAMBA systems in 2022. The 4th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment 鈥淧eschiera鈥� of the Italian Army has four operational batteries.

Addressing Ukraine精东影业 vulnerability to ballistic missiles

Ukraine精东影业 Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, emphasized Ukraine精东影业 vulnerability to ballistic strikes following the destruction of the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant, located near Kyiv, on April 11, 2024. Kuleba stressed the need for at least seven Patriot systems to protect the country精东影业 main cities. 

So far, Germany has supplied two Patriot batteries, and the US has provided one. Following Kuleba精东影业 recent appeal for more assistance, Germany has been the only country to commit to providing an additional system.听

To accelerate the acquisition of Patriot systems, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, reported that discussions were ongoing between Ukrainian businesses and the multiple US companies that produce the different components of the platform.

鈥淎ir defense is the number one priority; we need both additional systems and interceptor missiles for all the systems we have,鈥� Markarova said in an interview with European Pravda, commenting on the recent $61 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine approved by the US Congress. 鈥淲e cannot do without producing ourselves, at least, a significant part of the components, and at most 鈥� the finished product.鈥�

Ukraine looks to produce Patriot air defense systems jointly with the US

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2024-04-24

The event was held at Istrana Air Base, located 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Venice, where the 132nd mixed Squadron is stationed. This was the last Italian squadron to fly the AMX.  

The ceremony featured a formation flight of five AMX jets and several other aircraft, including one F-35 and two Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team also participated in the event. 

The AMX is a joint venture between Italian and Brazilian manufacturers. The Italian Air Force acquired 110 units in 1989, along with 26 two-seater trainer versions (AMX-T). The AMX has since become an essential part of the Italian Air Force’s operations and has been used in multiple theaters, including the Balkans, Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq. 

The AMX can launch various weapons, including conventional bombs, cluster or laser-guided bombs, rocket launchers, anti-ship missiles, and air-to-air missiles. The AMX-T, a two-seater variant, replaced the Aeritalia G.91T trainer aircraft within the Italian military. 

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II will replace the AMX within the Aeronautica Militare fleet. The Brazilian Air Force still operates 42 AMX and 8 AMX-T aircraft, but plans are underway to replace them over time with Saab Gripen E fighters.听

Brazilian pilots successfully complete Gripen fighter training in Sweden

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-07-12

, with offices in New York and Montevideo, has revealed plans for a remarkable new airport terminal to be built at the airport. The groundbreaking design presents a contemporary open space through which passengers can pass in style. However, it also acknowledges the Tuscany region精东影业 famous tradition of wine production by featuring a green roof which will include a working vineyard.听

The new terminal to be constructed at Florence Airport (FLR), or Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola in Italian, will measure 538,195 sq ft (50,000 sq m) in area and is expected to handle over 5.9 million international passengers annually. However, it will be the activity going on outside of the new terminal that is likely to grab the most attention.听听听听听

听

The gently sloping vineyard to be installed on the terminal roof will measure 19 acres (7.6 hectares) and will include 38 rows of vines. Notwithstanding the obvious challenges surrounding irrigation and cultivation of the vines themselves, according to the architects, a leading winemaker from the region has been appointed to maintain the entire vineyard and produce wine. The wine will then be aged in specialized cellars beneath the terminal before it is made available for sale. 

Alongside the headline-grabbing vineyard, the airport will also undergo improvements elsewhere on the site, which is located five miles (8km) from Florence city center. These improvements will include reorienting and lengthening the existing runway (05/23).  

The current runway has restricted approaches due to the proximity of high ground surrounding the airfield which currently limits the types of passenger aircraft that can operate into the facility.听

Additionally, new arrival and departure areas will be arranged across a large open public space within the center of the new terminal. The open-plan layout has been designed to make the airport terminal particularly easy to navigate for air travelers.听

Elsewhere, the airport redevelopment will also involve the creation of seven new parks surrounding the airport, in addition to student housing, retail spaces, and improved surface transport links to the airport itself. 

Rafael Vi帽oly Architects has said that its airport design is slated to receive the LEED Platinum green building standard for its environmentally friendly credentials.  

The new airport project will be completed in two phases, with phase one due to be completed in 2026 and phase two expected in 2035.听听

The design for the new airport joins a growing list of airports worldwide that are embracing the trend of incorporating green spaces both inside and out. The Jewel Changi at Singapore Airport (SIN) is one such example, where a huge internal waterfall cascades through an atrium that resembles a rainforest.  

Elsewhere, in Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru (BLR), the terminal精东影业 design is inspired by Bengaluru精东影业 popularity as a 鈥楪arden City鈥�. 

Passengers have a unique experience as they travel through more than 107,600 sq ft (10,000 sq m) of green walls, hanging gardens, and outdoor gardens. The terminal features a large indoor garden with rammed-earth walls and waterfalls, which act as a gateway into the densely landscaped retail area. The ceiling at the entrance, check-in, and security area features hanging planted bells.听

Bonza celebrates first anniversary of launch, eyes further expansion in 2024听

• Airlines

byLuke Peters

2024-01-31

CEO Steffen Harbarth said in an interview with published on December 28, 2023, that Air Dolomiti will add a further five to six planes between the end of 2024 and the beginning of the following year.听听

鈥淓very single aircraft we add is a small company. An Embraer needs 6 commanders, 6-7 first officers, 21 flight attendants. Plus 3-5 technicians and mechanics, and 1-2 in administration. In short, we can say 40 people, therefore at least 240 to be hired in 2024 for the increase in the fleet,鈥� Harbarth told Corriere della Sera.听

According to ch-aviation.com, the airline, which is part of the Lufthansa Group, currently operates 17 Embraer ERJ 190-200LRs and three ERJ 190-100LRs, with six morel set to arrive from Lufthansa CityLine.听听

Harbarth aims to use the increase in the number of planes to boost regular services to Frankfurt and Munich, particularly from Northern Italy.  

In his interview Harbarth also said the airline was seeing a strong return of passengers from the United States (US), South Korea and Japan following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

鈥淚 can tell you that for several days this year we operated flights to Florence where 80% of the passengers on board came from the USA,鈥� the CEO stated.  

He also added that the traditional strong travel season between March and the end of October has extended into the colder months. 

First Airbus A321neo built at former A380 facility delivered to Pegasus Airlines

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2023-12-28

The three countries confirmed on December 14, 2023, that the international treaty sets out a future combat air program, with development of a 6th generation stealth fighter jet central to the agreement.

The advanced fighter jet will be built with supersonic capabilities and equipped with cutting-edge technology and will become a formidable force in global security.

The latest announcement follows the establishment of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) in December 2022, in which the UK, Italy and Japan first set out a plan to build a new fighter jet.

The program will be headed in the UK and the first combat air aircraft is due to take to the skies by 2035.

In a statement the three countries said that the new fighter 鈥渁ims to harness next-generation technologies and become one of the world精东影业 most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service globally鈥�.

The supersonic stealth jet will boast a powerful radar that can provide 10,000 times more data than current systems, giving a 鈥渂attle-winning advantage鈥�.

The construction will be carried out by the UK firm BAE Systems, Leonardo from Italy and the Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Other collaborators include Rolls-Royce.

鈥淲e welcome the agreement signed by the governments of Italy, Japan and the UK today, and the continued progress with our industrial partners to advance the future joint business construct that will enable us to deliver the next generation combat aircraft. We鈥檙e proud to represent the UK on this exciting and forward-leaning partnership, which will deliver a crucial and affordable defense capability and help to maintain our sovereign combat air skills in the UK,鈥� Herman Claesen, Managing Director, Future Combat Air Systems, BAE Systems鈥� Air sector, said.

The joint GCAP government headquarters will be hosted in the UK and the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will come from Japan. In addition, the future business construct will also be headquartered in the UK and the first leader will be from Italy.

鈥淥ur world-leading combat aircraft program aims to be crucial to global security and we continue to make hugely positive progress toward delivery of the new jets to our respective air forces in 2035. The UK-based headquarters will also see us make important decisions collaboratively and at pace, working with our close partners Italy and Japan, and our impressive defense industries, to deliver an outstanding aircraft,鈥� the UK精东影业 Defense Secretary, said.

The joint development phase of the program is due to be launched in 2025.

The Soviet era’s fastest plane: the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25

• Aircraft
• Aviation History
• Defense

byRosita Mickeviciute

2023-12-12

The deal, signed on December 4, 2023, details that a portion of Sweden’s flight training for fighter pilots will be conducted in Italy, spanning from January 2024 into the next ten years. The Aeronautica Militare (the Italian Air Force), with support from Leonardo Industries, will be responsible for executing the training program.  

The training will be administered by the 61 Stormo (Wing) of the Aeronautica Militare, and is to be based at the Galatina Air Base outside Lecce, as well as the Decimomannu Air Base in Sardinia. 

The IFTS is a joint initiative by the Aeronautica Militare and Leonardo. It involves instructors from the Italian Air Force and Leonardo M-346 jet trainers developed by the Italian manufacturers Aermacchi and Leonardo. 

鈥淚 am happy that the agreement has now been signed and that we have the necessary conditions to get started with qualified flight training that meets the requirements of the future,鈥� Swedish Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman said. 

鈥淭his is a further significant step for the safety of European skies: finding agreements and synergies between countries that share spaces and orientations is always productive,鈥� Italian Air Force Chief Luca Goretti commented. 鈥淲orking with Swedish colleagues will represent an opportunity for growth for both countries. This agreement also represents another milestone for the IFTS project.鈥� 

As part of the collaboration, Swedish flight instructors will be dispatched to both of the Italian air bases to undergo tuition on the M-346 trainer. Following this phase, the Swedish flight instructors will subsequently serve as instructors at the IFTS. 

Qatar turns to Italy to train pilots for its fighter jet cocktail

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2020-11-12

According to the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera, Adolfo Urso, the Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, said that the ministry proposed changes to the price cap introduced by the Italian government in early August 2023.

Urso, speaking to reporters at an event in Italy, added that the 鈥渃ompetent authorities鈥� will now have more power to ensure competitive and consumer-friendly market conditions. The minister said that the Italian Competition Authority (Autorit脿 Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM) would now be able to examine flight prices even if they are determined by algorithms and not done manually.

In August 2023, the Italian government announced measures to protect Italian consumers. The bill limited flight prices when the flight is from/to mainland Italy to its islands, sold during the peak-demand seasons and/or in conjunction with a state of emergency, and would have resulted in tickets being 200% more expensive compared to the average price on the same route.

The Italian government also looked to ban procedures that changed the prices of flights based on a user精东影业 web activities.

Italy wants to cap prices on domestic flights to its islands

• Airlines

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-08-07

Shortly after the measure was announced, Ryanair精东影业 chief executive officer (CEO) Eddie Wilson told the Italian news agency Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA) that it was 鈥渞idiculous, illegal, and interferes with the free market, according to European law鈥�.

In another interview with Italy精东影业 La Republica, Wilson claimed the measure could be compared to something that would have been done in the Soviet Union in the 1920s.

However, the day after Urso announced changes to the bill, AGCM said it would investigate Ryanair for its dominant position in the market.

The competition authority alleged that the low-cost carrier is abusing its position by 鈥渉indering鈥� travel agencies from purchasing flight tickets on its website. Instead, AGCM claimed the company offers tickets through a platform, where prices and after-sale support services are worse.

Ryanair being investigated for its dominant position in the Italian market

• Airlines

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-09-20

The ACGM has announced that proceedings have been initiated against Ryanair, 鈥渢he leading operator in scheduled passenger air transport on national flights and to and from Italy鈥�. The authority精东影业 hypothesis is that the low-cost carrier would 鈥渓everage the dominant position held in the markets in which it operates to extend its power also in the offer of other tourist services (for example hotels and car rental) to the detriment of travel agencies – online and offline – and the customers who use them to purchase these services鈥�.

It has received various reports about Ryanair since May 2022.

Ryanair was also accused of 鈥渉indering鈥� travel agencies from purchasing tickets from its website, with the airline instead offering them itineraries on a Global Distribution System or GDS platform at higher prices and with inferior post-sale ticket management offerings.

According to the Italian competition authority, travel agencies are typically the first point of purchase when booking a holiday, acting customers a service to buy additional travel options.

As such, 鈥渓imiting鈥� the travel agencies鈥� choices could 鈥渓ead to worsening conditions in terms of quantity and quality and unjustified difficulties in managing the booking,鈥� the ACGM accused.

According to yearly traffic data from the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile, ENAC), of the total 164.3 million air passengers in Italy during 2022, Ryanair carried 45.6 million.

The airline精东影业 closest competitors, namely Wizz Air (11.5 million passengers) and easyJet (11 million), plus the flag carrier ITA Airways (10.3 million), had much fewer passengers. As such, Ryanair held a dominant market share position, carrying 34.6% of the total international and domestic passengers flying on scheduled journeys.

In comparison, the Italian air traffic system handled a total of 192.2 million passengers in 2019, of which Ryanair carried 40.5 million. The second-largest airline in terms of passenger numbers in 2019 was Alitalia, with 21.7 million.

“We welcome the Italian Antitrust Authority investigation which will make it clear to passengers that they should book directly on听Ryanair.com听for the lowest fares and so we can communicate directly with them to ensure they make the necessary security declarations and are informed directly of all safety and regulatory protocols when travelling, as legally required,” a Ryanair spokesperson said in an email to 精东影业. According to the representative, it was surprising that the ACGM “has shown no interest in the fact that prices of Ryanair flights and optional services on online travel agent websites often exceed the original听Ryanair.com听prices by up to 200%”.

Ryanair compares Italy精东影业 domestic price cap to measures used in the Soviet Union

• Airlines
• Aviation Economics & Finance

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-08-11

UPDATE September 20, 2023, 4:15 am (UTC +3):听The article was updated with a statement from Ryanair.

The aircraft was flying in formation on Saturday, September 16, 2023, while practicing for the 100-year celebrations of the Italian Air Force when the jet appeared to lose altitude. 听

The young girl was travelling in a car along a country road with her parents and nine-year-old brother when the vehicle was engulfed in flames from the exploding aircraft.  

The brother is being treated for severe burns at the Regina Margherita Children精东影业 Hospital in Turin. It is also understood the parents of the children also suffered burn injuries.  

A video of the incident was captured by a bystander which shows the pilot, named Captain Oscar Del Do, ejecting from the aircraft and his parachute open. The fire brigade confirmed he is also being treated in hospital. 

There is speculation that a bird strike may have occurred shortly after the squadron took off from Turin Airport (TRN). The crash happened inside the airport perimeter. 

Following the crash, the Giorgia Meloni said: 鈥淚 am shocked by what happened today in the Caselle flying club in Turin during an exercise by the Frecce Tricolori. The death of little Laura Origliasso, following the terrible crash of one of the aircraft of the National Acrobatic Team, saddens me deeply and leaves me speechless. 听

The Prime Minister added: 鈥淥n behalf of myself and the entire Government, I express my closeness and condolences to the family of the deceased girl and I extend my best wishes for a speedy recovery to her parents and little brother who were injured in this tragedy.鈥澨�

Aermacchi MB-339PAN of the Frecce Tricolori display team crashed on Saturday during a practice run outside the northern city of Turin, killing a child on the ground.

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk)

Flight recorder provides 鈥榗ritical leads鈥� on Malaysian private jet crash

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2023-09-15