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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 2429.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT SUPPLIERS CTRM opts to keep up with Airbus demand Composite Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM) has opted against bidding for 7E7 work to keep up with increasing demand from primary customer Airbus, writes Brendan Sobie. The government-owned com pany, which supplies wing panels for A320s and A380s, is leaving open the possibility of working with Boeing in the future, but says for the next two years it must focus on complet ing the work it is already contracted to supply. "We were thinking of submit ting proposals [for the 7E7], but are putting that on hold," says chief executive Rosdi Mahmud. Industry sources say prob lems encountered in keeping up with this year's increase in A320 production to one shipset a day, plus funding issues and capacity constraints, factored into CTRM's decision to not bid for 7E7 work. A320 work is already driving an expected 240% increase in revenues this year from 40 mil lion ringgit ($11 million) to 136 million ringgit. Rosdi says another step-up in A320 production plus the start of high-rate A380 and A400M pro duction is projected to drive another 93% spike in revenues next year to 262 million ringgit. CTRM projects a long-term annual revenue stream of 300 million ringgit. To prepare for next year's production increase, CTRM will move into an addi tional 9,290m2 (100,000ft2) factory at its Malacca headquar ters next May. The current business is housed in a single 20,400m2 facility. Industry sources still expect Malaysia's Asian Composites Manufacturing (ACM), which is partly owned by Boeing and Hexcel, to win 7E7 subcontract work. Sourcing a piece of the 7E7 in Malaysia could help Boeing persuade Malaysia Airlines to order the aircraft. FREIGHTERS MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON Bedek lands launch deal for 747-400 conversion Israeli company unveils order from Guggenheim Aviation Partners to modify two combis Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) has secured an official launch customer for its Boeing 747-400 passenger-to- freighter (PTF) modification pro gramme a year after its launch, unveiling a deal for the conversion of two combis for lessor Guggen heim Aviation Partners (GAP). The US aviation investment company last month signed for the rival Boe ing 747-400 freighter modification. The deal with IAI's Bedek Aviation Group covers the conver sion of two 13-year-old ex-Air Canada, Pratt & Whitney PW4056- powered 747-400 combis, which GAP has purchased from GE Capital Aviation Services, to full freighter configuration. According to industry sources, the aircraft are destined for long-term lease to Air China Cargo. The first aircraft was ferried to Bedek's Tel Aviv plant last week, although work will not start until February. Bedek says it has begun the process to achieve supplemental type certification, and approval will be received when the first modifica tion is completed in early 2006. Once the programme is up and run ning conversions are expected to take around five months. GAP has an order with Boeing for the conversion of four ex-Singapore Airlines 747-400s to freighters, between 2006 and 2009. GAP exec utive officer Steve Rimmer says the decision to split the order was dri ven by the fact that "we believe there is a place in the market for both conversions". He adds that Bedek had earlier slot availability for the conversion of combis, as Boeing is not able to offer combi modifications until 2008. IAI launched its 747-400 PTF con version in 2003, but has had a hard- fought battle against Boeing's in- house programme to secure a launch customer. It had been expected to land a deal from Korean Air, but the airline eventually selected the Boeing modification. David Arzi, Bedek general manager and IAI's corporate vice-president, says he expects to announce further contracts by the end of this year. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ARIE EGOZI IN TEL AVIV STRATEGY MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON SriLankan Airlines ready to expand SriLankan Airlines is preparing to expand its short- and long-haul fleet to cater for traffic growth as it reaps the benefits of its new Indian connections. The airline is also poised to expand its novel amphib ian air taxi service. "We've benefited from the liberal aviation pact between Sri Lanka and India, which enables us to serve seven metropolitan cities and 15 others with unlimited traffic rights," SriLankan chief executive Peter Hill told Flight International. The airline's network has expanded by 25% over the last year, and Hill says that it currently operates 70 flights a week to India and "will expand to 100 services to 14 or 15 destinations a week within 18 months". SriLankan's expanding Indian connections are also allowing it to boost long-haul services, as its Colombo hub is a strong alterna tive to the major Indian airports for passengers connecting to sec ondary cities in the country. Direct Australian services - sus pended in mid-2001 after the Tamil SriLankan's Caravan floatplane (above) is being joined by two Turbo Otters Tiger separatist attack on Colombo International airport, which destroyed four of its aircraft - are planned to be reintroduced late next year. Hill expects to pick up some London-Australia business by co-ordinating connection flights, but expects much of the Australian business to be generated by its new Indian network. The airline's all-Airbus jet fleet comprises five A320s, four A330- 200s and five A340-300s, and Hill says that he expects to add "sev eral" A320s and two A340s next year. Hill says he is also "actively studying" the possible lease of an A310-300 Freighter. Meanwhile, the SriLankan Air Taxi amphibian service, using an eight-seat Cessna 208 Caravan floatplane, has proved successful, and the fleet is being bolstered by the addition of two refurbished, 15-seat de Havilland Canada Turbo Otter amphibians. "This is destined to grow to a 10-aircraft operation within five years," says Hill. 16 23-29 NOVEMBER 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.fliqhtinternational.com
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