FOKKER IS CONSIDERING closer co-operation with aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), including an extension to the components work already undertaken by the Indian company for the Fokker 50.
The Dutch concern is targeting India for sales of the turboprop Fokker 50 and the Fokker 70 and 100 regional jets as deregulation leads to continued expansion.
The turboprop has been short-listed by Indian Airlines in a contest to supply six aircraft for its regional division and Fokker claims interest from five other local carriers in the same aircraft.
HAL produces horizontal stabilisers for the Fokker 50 and signed a memorandum of understanding in 1994 to set up a maintenance base in India for the Fokker 50 and F27. A final contract, is expected to be signed in the next few weeks, to allow the base to be set up, by HAL.
A Dutch Government delegation was in India in early May for talks with HAL and the Indian civil aviation minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, on expanding ties between the two sides.
Source: Flight International
