Saab Aircraft hopes to complete a study by the end of the year aimed at mapping out its future strategy.
Gert Schyborger, who took over the reins as president at the Swedish civil-aircraft manufacturer earlier this year, says that until the study is complete he will not be entering discussions with anyone over possible alliances.
Despite keeping his options open, Schyborger has signalled his ultimate intentions. "We want Saab in better shape to come to the market in a position of strength rather than weakness. Nevertheless, we need to make sure of what we want before we start talking about future co-operation," he says.
On the wider question of industry restructuring, the Saab boss believes that the shake-out probably started when the Jetstream 41 turboprop was dropped from the Aero International (Regional) (AI(R)) range in May.
Saab's future has frequently been linked to that of AI(R), and, while the Swedish company denies that there are any talks under way, the removal of the J41 makes some room in the AI(R) line-up for the Saab 340 and 2000 - although AI(R) is probably more interested in the investment capabilities of Saab than its product range.
While it determines the future of its airliner operation, Saab is moving to inject life into the slow-selling Saab 2000 50-seat turboprop with the introduction of a customer-support package known as the CAREfree.
Saab believes that the scheme, which pulls together a comprehensive airframe rotable-repair programme, engine power by the hour and complete expendables coverage, will cut direct operating costs by more than $2 million per aircraft over a six-year period.
The highlight of the scheme is that, for the first 5,000 flight hours, or a period of two years, the programme is provided free of charge, eliminating an airline's maintenance risks except for line labour and consumables.
Substantial discounts on a sliding scale are also offered over the next 10,000h. New Sicilian start-up operator Med Airlines has become the first user of the scheme, having just ordered two Saab 2000s, with two options. The first aircraft is due for delivery to the customer in November.
Source: Flight International
