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Aviation History
1997
1997 - 3357.PDF
SHOW JMPOIV/ Malaysia reconsiders Rooivalk as Singapore seeks Apaches MALAYSIA IS indicating that it might revise an earlier decision to postpone ordering the Denel CSH-2 Rooivalk, as neigh bouring Singapore moves towards finalising its own attack-helicopter selection by mid-1998. According to senior defence sources in Malaysia, the Govern ment is once again showing inter est in the South African helicopter after earlier deciding to shelve the programme until 1999/2000. "We are confident that the deci sion will come earlier than people had anticipated," suggests a defence official. Malaysia had originally been expected to conclude a deal for an initial eight Rooivalks with Denel by the end of the 1997. The Government, however, recently announced that the programme, as well as a planned search-and-res- cue replacement for the air force's Sikorsky S-61 Nuri, is to be deferred in the face of a major financial crisis. Denel views Malaysia as its strongest prospective export cus tomer for the tandem-seat ma chine. The company is eager to cement a deal to bolster its earlier sale of 12 Rooivalks to the South Denel's Rooivalk may make an early export debut after all African Air Force, and the manu facturer has been offering Malaysia co-production concessions. Singapore, in the meantime, is expected to be the first Asian coun try to ask the US Government for release of the Boeing AH-64D Longbow Apache. Officials sug gest that such a request would be looked upon favourably, given the island nation's strong defence rela tionship with the USA. The Republic of Singapore Air Force is scheduled to conduct a week-long in-country evaluation of the AH-64 shortly. The service is also looking at the competing Eurocopter Tiger, Mil Mi-28 Havoc and the Rooivalk, but no final decision has yet been taken. The air force requires a total of 30 machines. As part of any deal, Singapore is believed to be asking for a compre hensive training and logistical-sup port package, including access to overseas bases for pilot instruction. Singapore already maintains long- term detachments of Boeing CH-47D Chinooks and Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft in the USA, and is expected to seek simi lar arrangements for its planned attack helicopters. • NEWS IN BRIEF • BELL ASSEMBLY The Philippines has signed a memorandum of under standing with Bell Helicopter Textron to assemble the twin-engined 412 and smaller 206 at a planned new site in Alaminos. Bell is stressing that the deal depends on the two types being ordered in sufficient numbers. • MALAYSIA LEASEBACK Malaysia Airlines has con cluded a sale and leaseback agreement with General Electric Capital for six of its Boeing737-500s.The airline has also signed an agreement to purchase a Boeing Busi ness Jet, making it the first Asian customer for the cor porate version of the 737. • SLOW DASH Pelangi Air has put on indefinite hold the delivery of three completed Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8-300s until operational and share holding issues are resolved. The 50-seat turboprops, ordered in 1995, had been due for delivery in June and July, but have been delayed by Malaysia Airline moves to acquire a controlling 70% stake in the carrier. Currency crisis delays Saeaga's launch plans and A320 purchase MALAYSIA'S SAEAGA Air lines is postponing plans to order new Airbus Industrie A320s, and the launch of its first scheduled international services, in the face of the recent Asian currency crisis and economic downturn. "We're looking to buy five A320s, but this has now been deferred," says Ting Pek Khiing, chief executive of Saeaga parent company Ekran Berhad. "Once the economy stabilises, we can go for ward in a big way, but we're now looking at an economic turmoil and a slowdown," he adds. The airline has already signed a two-year lease agreement with Singapore Aircraft Leasing En terprise for two International Aero Engine V2500-powered A320s and will take delivery of the aircraft in August and September 1998. As an alternative to purchasing its own A3 20s, Ting suggests that Saeaga might lease additional aircraft in the interim. Saeaga has also been forced to put on hold plans to launch inter national services. The carrier had been considering a variety of dif ferent regional destinations, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xiamen in mainland China; Hong Kong; Manila in the Philippines; xManado in Indonesia; and Taipei. "We're now going to concen trate on domestic services, such as from East Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. Before we inaugurate regional services to neighbouring countries, we must first see an improvement in the economy," explains Ting. The airline's fleet of two Bom bardier de Havilland Dash 8- 200/300s and a single Canadair RJ are used to operate a limited sched uled service within East Malaysia, connecting Bintulu, Kota Kina- balu, Kuching, Layang-Layang, Miri, xMulu, and Sibu. The two- year-old carrier also flies charters to the Philippines. With the delivery of the two leased A320s, Saeaga plans to expand services beyond the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak to West Malaysia. New managing director David Chew estimates that, with two narrow- body jet airliners, Saeaga will be capable of operating up to three round trips a day to Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. Saeaga also wants to enter into an interline agreement with major international carriers operating into Malaysia. The carrier has opened talks with British Airways, China Airlines of Taiwan, Germany's Lufthansa and flag car rier Malaysia Airlines. Meanwhile, Malaysia's other start-up carrier, AirAsia, is negoti ating with Airbus to secure two leased used A310-300s for new longer-haul services to the Middle East and Japan. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 10 - 16 December 1997 9
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