The Bedek maintenance division of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) intends to expand its operations in China, and expects to reach $50 million annual turnover in the market by 2004. Bedek began its marketing efforts in China in 2000. Last year this resulted in two China Eastern MD-11s that were flown to Israel for D checks. The firm has also secured several Chinese airline engine overhaul contracts. According to David Arzi, Bedek general manager, these were mainly Boeing CFM International CFM-56s.
Chinese airlines have also sent APUs and other systems to the Israeli facility for overhaul, and have contracted Bedek to instruct local technicians in the performance of C checks on Western-built aircraft. "In 2001 our sales in the Chinese market totalled approximately $25 million. We expect to reach an annual turnover of approximately $50 million within two years," Arzi says.
Source: Flight International
