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Aviation History
1994
1994 - 1458.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT Saab studies 70-seat regional turboprop Saab is to study the feasibility of launching a new 70-seat regional turboprop. The Swedish aircraft manufacturer says that it would almost cer tainly be a joint-venture pro gramme if it decides to proceed with the project. Saab president Hans Kruger confirms that the study is under way. He says: "The pro ject we are looking at is in the 70-seat class. We have to keep an eye on market trends and see who is doing what." Kruger is thought to be keen to maintain leadership of any project arising from the current study, but acknowledges that the company cannot afford to act alone. He says: "If we do start a project, it will be on a partnership basis." The study is expected to be completed this year, although Saab says that no decision is expected until at least 1995. Saab is understood to be the target of several Asian nations aspiring to enter the market with an established player. Taiwan and China are seen as important potential partners, with Japan also singled out by Saab sources. The Swedish company has already had lengthy, but inconclusive, talks with China over possible licence manufacture by that country of the Saab 2000. Saab has also been linked with the CASA 3000 70-seat regional-airliner programme, WORKSHOP AEROCORP AeroCorp of Lake City, Florida, has completed a McDonnell Douglas DC-10- 10 re-painting in three days. BFGOODRICH BFGoodrich Landing Gear/Component Services has secured a landing-gear contract with Air UK Leisure for the overhaul of Boeing 737-400 landing gear. but has always claimed to be no more than an interested specta tor. Spanish company CASA supplies the wing for the Saab 2000 and is proposing a similar design for the CASA 3000. In spite of the recent European Union approval of a Government subsidy for the CASA 3000, CASA has been unable to find the partner it needs to launch a programme, which is said by some to be lit tle more than its entry card to the regional-aircraft-manufac turer re-structuring now under way in Europe. • Eastern's revival depends on cash Eastern Airlines could rise from the ashes of bankrupt cy in October, if court-appoint ed trustee Martin Shugrue suc ceeds in raising $100 million in financing to re-start the failed carrier as New Eastern Airlines. The carrier would use the remaining assets and former employees of Eastern, which ceased operations in 1991. Shugrue says that New Eastern would be the biggest single airline start-up in histo ry, with around 2,000 employ ees, some 37 aircraft and ser vices to an initial 13 US cities — all east of the Mississippi. Low-cost services would be centred on the Atlanta, Indianapolis and Philadelphia markets which Shugrue says are "...over-priced and under- served". Later expansion to 21 cities, Mexico and the Caribbean is planned. The three core cities, and Miami, are under consideration as the new airline's headquar ters. Shugrue says that the car rier would buy in maintenance and ground-handling services. New Eastern plans a two-tier fare structure: coach-level fares for business travellers and deeply discounted fares for other passengers. • AIR ANTARES INTRODUCES BEECH 1900D Romanian carrier Air Antares has begun operation oj two Beech 1900D airliners on routes between Bucharest and four domestic locations. The two aircraft were delivered in May. Government mediates in TEAM dispute The Irish Government has intervened in the deepen ing industrial relations crisis at Aer Lingus maintenance sub sidiary TEAM. With the company running out of money, the Irish Government is to bring togeth er unions and management in an attempt to find a framework in which talks can progress. The move follows the failure of SIA's Cambodge stake postponed Singapore Airlines (SIA) has postponed indefinitely its plan to re-launch the Cam bodian airline Royal Air Cambodge (RAC). SIA was to take a 40% stake in RAC, which was dissolved in 1970, after a letter of intent was signed in November 1993 with the Cambodian Government. Political skirmishes in Cam bodia and a failure to resolve some of the issues involved in the joint venture are said to be the main reasons behind the postponement. SIA had understood that RAC would be the sole Cambodian airline to operate international services, but the Cambodian Government has yet to stop the country's two carriers from flying interna tional routes. The venture will proceed, SIA insists, once the Cam bodian Government resolves its internal problems. D talks to date. Management at TEAM is seeking the introduction of a new system whereby employ ees will work a 48h, six-day week during peak periods, but fewer hours in the slower mid year period. The latter will include up to six weeks additional paid leave, with Aer Lingus saying that, over the period of a year, the working week would average 39h. The company is also look ing for pay cuts of up to 10%, although unions claim that this could be up to 16%, and is holding open its right to bring in labour from places such as the Far East, if the situation demands.. TEAM says that if the changes are not implemented, the company will fold. A cash injection of I£25 million ($36.7 million) is due from parent company Aer Lingus, but this will not be released unless the changes in work practices are agreed upon. • NEWS IN BRIEF TURKMENISTAN BUY Delta Air Lines has agreed to sell two Boeing 737-300s to Turkmenistan's National Civil Aviation Admin istration, for delivery around 1 July, after they have been modified extensively. The sale of the almost-new air craft will result in a reduc tion of Delta's fleet to 547 aircraft. 10 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 15-21 June, 1994
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