MTU OUTLOOK STABLE AFTER RECORD 2008

 Following a year it calls the most successful in its history, MTU Aero Engines expects revenues to hold steady in 2009, with military business providing stability as the commercial market stagnates. Last year, revenues were 6% up at €2.7 billion ($3.7 billion) and net income rose 17% to €179.7 million. Chief executive Egon Behle says 2009 will see a "significant decrease" in business jet engine parts and spares and no growth "in any category" of the company'sairliner engines business.

MEXICO TO BOOST SAFRAN OUTPUT

Safran's Snecma and Messier-Dowty units are to start production around this time next year of CFM56 engine parts and landing gear components at new facilities to be built on 17Ha(42 acres) of land in the central Mexican state of Queretaro to meet what senior executive vice-presidentfor international development Emeric d'Arcimoles calls "simple parts" that are at present made only in Europe, where production will continue at its current rate.

RAFAEL ON TARGET WITH MISSILE SALES

Pre-tax profits last year at Rafael Advanced Defence Systems were up 39% to $57 million as sales jumped 19% to $1.53 billion. The company took record orders of $2.5 billion, bringing its year-end backlog to a record $3.17 billion. Rafael is the largest employer in northern Israel, with about 6,000 staff.

AIRLINE INSURANCE PREMIUMS SET TO RISE

Airlines' lead hull and liability premiums increased by 7% last year, following an 11% decline in 2007, and are likely to rise further this year as insurers look to recover recent losses, according to insurance specialist Aon. Last year, premiums totalled $1.6 billion and insurers paid out $1.45 billion in claims.

RECORD YEAR FOR CPI AEROSTRUCTURES

A 27%-plus surge in both revenue and pre-tax profits to $35.6 million and $3.8 million pushed aerostructures maker CPI Aerostructures to its best-ever year in 2008. Chief executive Edward Fred reaffirmed earlier 2009 guidance for revenue in the $42-$45 million range, adding: "Using 2008 as the baseline, for the three-year period ending in 2011, we expect to achieve a compound annual growth rate for revenue in the range of 30% to 35%."

RUSSIA TO SUBSIDISE FAR EAST FARES

Russian carriers including Aeroflot, Rossiya, S7 Airlines, Transaero,Vladivostok Aviaand Yakutia will this summer offer special economy-classfares for Russian citizens under 23 and over 60 years of age on routes to the far east of the country under a subsidy deal reached with federal air transport authority Rosaviatsia.

PFW TAKES CONTROL OF GARNER

German aircraft components maker PFW Aerospace has taken 100% control of Garner CAD Technic, an engineering services provider licensed at Airbus and Boeing as well as at Alenia, Fuji Heavy Industries and Israel Aerospace Industries.

TRIUMPH TO EXPAND INTO ZACATECAS

Triumph Group is to open its first manufacturing facility in the Zacatecas Aerospace Park in Mexico to make "lower skill" metal, composite and plastic products and tools to free capacity for higher-value work in US plants.

Source: Flight International