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Aviation History
2004
2004-01 - 0013.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT EXPANSION NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE Cathay looks into proposals for major fleet expansion Hong Kong carrier wants to buy more widebody twins and 15 used Boeing 747s Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways is assessing proposals from Airbus and Boeing for additional twin-engined widebodies to boost capacity in anticipation of a con tinuing market upturn. Separately, the airline has issued requests for proposals (RFP) and requests for information (RFI) to aircraft lessors and airlines seeking 15 used Boeing 747-400s, with some to be converted to freighters. Industry sources say Cathay issued RFPs to Airbus and Boeing in mid-December covering up to nine Airbus A330-300s or Boeing 777- Cathay is seeking used 747-400s as well as more 777s or A330s 300s for use on intra-Asian routes. The sources say Cathay expects strong growth in demand next year and wants deliveries to start in the first quarter of 2005, although this could slip to the second quarter. Proposals have already been received from the two manufactur ers and orders are likely before the end of March. The sources say Cathay may split the order between Airbus and Boeing. Cathay already operates 23 A330-300S and nine 777-300s, in addition to five 777-200s. All are powered by Rolls-Royce engines. One more 777-300 is on firm order and will be delivered shortly. Separately, Cathay issued RFPs and RFIs in late-December for 15 used 747-400s, say the sources. Its preference is for R-R RB211 -pow ered examples to maintain com monality with its existing fleet. A380 WORKSHARE Spain holds back cash The Spanish government is threatening to withhold part of its development funding for the Airbus A380 amid complaints that the country's industry has not secured sufficient workshare. Spanish science and technol ogy minister Juan Costa Climent says: "We have decided not to pay until there is a clear agree ment over the participation of the Spanish company in the project where our objective is to have a share of around 10%," adding: "Currently we have less than 8%." Industry sources say the issue has arisen amid political campaigning ahead of Spain's general election in March. Spain holds a 5.6% stake in EADS, which owns 80% of Airbus. Airbus Spain is responsi ble for the A380's belly fairing, rudder, horizontal stabiliser and part of the rear fuselage. AVIONICS Raytheon offers Beech 1900 T2CAS retrofit Raytheon Airline Aviation Services (RAAS) and Raytheon Aircraft Services have teamed with ACSS, an L-3 Communications and Thales company, to offer the T2CAS combined traffic and terrain avoid ance system for retrofit to the Beech 1900 series. The combined system will allow 1900 operators to meet the latest TCAS (traffic collision avoidance system) and TAWS (terrain aware ness warning system) mandates, says ACSS, which adds that certifi cation is planned initially on the 1900B/C versions in the first quar ter of 2004, followed by the 1900D. ACSS says that "RAAS has pur chased the first set for a fleet of 1900B/C aircraft", and adds: "Two European operators are also lined up to refit their aircraft with T2CAS through RAAS." The T2CAS system, which was certificated by the US Federal Aviation Administration in February 2003, combines a predic tive, performance-based Class A TAWS with the company's TCAS 2000 system. Eighteen operators and manufacturers have now ordered the system, compared to just five this time a year ago. First flight tested on a Beech King Air C90, the T2CAS is also being fitted to several other turbo- props, ranging from the BAE Systems Jetstream 31/41 and Lockheed Martin P-3 to the ATR 42/72s to be operated by FedEx Express. The system, production deliver ies of which began in June 2003, is also being fitted to a wide range of jet aircraft, including BAE Systems' RJ85 and the Airbus A330-200. FINANCE Japan allots funding for 7E7 and own regional jet Japan has earmarked about $25 million in its fiscal 2004 budget to help fund development of the Boeing 7E7 and another $25 million to study the feasibility of an indigenous regional jet. If approved by the Japanese parliament, the funds will be dis tributed to Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi after the new fiscal year begins on 1 April. Parliamentary approval is expected at the end of this month. Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi, which were tapped late last year to build 35% of the 7E7 airframe, are also planning to invest about $2.3 billion on 7E7 development over the next several years. Japanese indus try sources say the manu facturers were hoping for more than $25 million from the govern ment for the first year of the development phase, but the gov ernment is reluctant to provide significant funds before the pro gramme is officially launched. The government will wait for the manufacturers to complete supplier contracts with Boeing and for launch customers to be signed up before deciding how much money to allocate beyond the initial $25 million. On 29 December, the Japanese cabinet approved a fis cal 2004 budget that included a total of ¥5.7 billion ($54 million) for commercial aircraft pro grammes. Japanese industry sources say ¥2.7 billion is allo cated specifically for a regional jet feasibility study. A team led by Mitsubishi began work on the project last year. Sources say most of the remaining ¥3 billion is forthe7E7. The 7E7 funds, which have sparked a protest from Airbus, will eventually have to be repaid by the three manufacturers. The manufacturers also plan to seek loans from commercial banks to help cover some of their esti mated ¥240 billion investment. www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 13-19 JANUARY 2004 11
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