Romanian flag carrier Tarom is talking to McDonnell Douglas (MDC) about a possible MD-11 purchase as it awaits Government clearance to buy next-generation Boeing 737s and AI(R) ATR 42 turboprops.
A delegation from McDonnell Douglas visited Romanian capital Bucharest in February to discuss the potential acquisition by Tarom of two MD-11s, along with a possible offset programme. Tarom says that, if the MD-11s are to be acquired, they would replace the airline's two Airbus A310-300s on the carrier's longer-haul routes.
Tarom still holds officially one order for an Airbus A310, but the delivery has been deferred indefinitely. One of the airline's A310s was destroyed in accident just after take-off from Bucharest in March 1995, killing all on board.
The company says that it is hoping for Government clearance within two months to proceed with the purchase of four 737-700s and four -800s, plus seven ATR 42s, with two options. The Government, which holds a majority stake in Tarom, is to provide finance.
The airline hopes to introduce the ATR 42s into its fleet by October, and to add the new 737s from February 1998. The last of the new 737s is to be delivered in April 2001. The 737 and ATR acquisition is likely to cost about $400 million, says Tarom.
The airline is trying to find buyers for a range of Russian-built aircraft which it has grounded for reasons of economy. It still owns 14 Antonov An-24s, but only flies seven. Out of seven Ilyushin Il-18s and seven Tupolev Tu-154s, only two of each type are still flying.
The carrier says that it has sold four of its original 15 BAC/ Rombac 1-11s to Aero Asia International in Pakistan, while the rest of the aircraft remain operational. It also operates two Boeing 707-320Cs and five 737-300s.
The Romanian Government owns 70% of Tarom through its state-ownership fund, while the remaining 30%is held by a private-ownership kitty belonging to parliament. There are no concrete plans for further privatisation as yet, says the airline, although the new Government, under prime minister Victor Ciorbea, is expected to start a rapid privatisation programme this year.
Source: Flight International
