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France aviation news

France orders third Reaper system

France has ordered the third General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air system to bolster its growing fleet of the type, which is operating in the Sahel-Saharan strip in Africa. Ordered through the USA’s Foreign Military Sales programme, the third system – consisting of three aircraft – will be delivered in 2019, following the transfer of the second system d...

Air France-KLM, 10 others win fight against EU cargo cartel fines

Air France-KLM and 10 other airlines won a challenge against almost €800 million (Dh3.2 billion, $874 million) in fines for fixing air freight charges after Europe’s second highest court said it had found contradictions in the EU decision. The European Commission said in a 2010 finding that 11 air cargo carriers fixed surcharges for fuel and security costs from December 1999 to Febru...

Air France to restore two long-range routes next summer

Air France (Paris) will be enhancing its flight schedule for summer 2016 with two additional routes. Starting in June 2016, Air France will begin service from New York (JFK) to Paris-Orly, in addition to the four daily frequencies to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Beginning in April 2016, Air France will operate three weekly flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Tehran Imam Khomeini Internatio...

Zodiac’s lower deck patent asks more questions than it answers

Zodiac Aerospace is exploring the opportunity of seating passengers underneath the main deck of commercial aircraft, in the area currently occupied by baggage and the occasional crew rest, catering trolley stowage, or downstairs lavatory area. The interiors powerhouse has applied for a paternt a wide range of methods to enable lower deck seating on passenger aircraft unearthed by Philip Ro...

Roke Manor develops communications payload for Zephyr

Roke Manor has been contracted under the UK’s Defence Growth Partnership (DGP) to develop a communications payload for high-altitude unmanned air vehicles. The system is being developed with the Airbus Defence & Space Zephyr pseudo satellite in mind. Airbus Defence & Space While not intended exclusively for integration with Zephyr, due to the export focus of the DGP, the hi...

Air France to resume Iran flights

Air France has announced it will begin flying to Iran for the first time since 2008. The airline will serve Teheran from Paris-Charles de Gaulle three times a week (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) starting in April 2016. "Air France is showing that it is ready to seize all possible profitable development and growth opportunities", said Frédéric Gagey, chairman and CEO of...

Air France KLM November 2015 results

Passenger network: strict capacity discipline, increase in both trafficand load factor, notably impacted by the 13th November Paris terrorist attacks Cargo activity impacted by additional security measures at CDG Traffic highlights November traffic to and from Paris was significantly impacted by the 13th November Paris terrorist attacks. Passenger network load factor was down 0.9 point...

ATR receives EASA certification for high-density cabin layout

The high-density seating configuration option for the ATR 72-600 aircraft has received its certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Using the existing airframe, the new high density configuration option is achieved by optimizing the pitch and adjusting forward cargo compartment, bringing the aircraft maximum capacity from 74 to 78 seats. ATR’s greater passe...

Paris attacks cost Air France-KLM €50m in lost revenue

Air France-KLM has said that the Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed, led to a €50m ($54m; £36m) drop in revenues as trips were cancelled. However, the airline group said it expected the effect to have largely worn off by the end of December. The group said the attacks "significantly impacted" traffic to and from Paris. Before the attacks passenger numbers...

"Bomb Threat" Forces Air France Flight from U.S. to Paris to Be Diverted to Montreal

An Air France flight from San Francisco to Paris was diverted to Canada following an alleged bomb threat on Tuesday. The plane was diverted to the Trudeau airport in Montreal, AirLive.net tweeted. CBC News reported that the plane was diverted for 'unspecified reasons'. There are 231 passengers and 15 crew members on board, according to Canadian media. The Montreal police have r...

Airbus Seeks Sale of Services Unit Vector: Sources

Airbus Group SE is exploring a sale of Vector Aerospace Corp, a unit that services and maintains aircraft, in a deal that could be valued at more than US$800 million, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. Airbus, Europe's largest aerospace group, is currently selling several businesses to focus its defense division on warplanes, missiles, launchers and satellites. Airbus has hi...

Air France: embark the last flight of the Boeing 747

January 14 2016, Air France offers its customers a unique experience - to board an exceptional tribute flight around France and its iconic sites! More than 45 years after the first flight between Paris and New York was made on June 3 1970  on the plane, known as the "Jumbo Jet", the Company organizes an emotional goodbye to this aircraft,recognizable among...