Czech aircraft manufacturer Moravan Aeroplanes was officially declared insolvent on 18 June, heavily indebted to employees, suppliers and the state.
Otrokovice-based Moravan, famous for its Zlín trainers, has succumbed to the "crisis in the aviation industry", says general director Libor Soska.
Moravan's administrator in bankruptcy Petr Hajtmar would like to resume work on orders as soon as possible, but in future wants to focus on aircraft parts. At least 100 of the current 250 employees will eventually lose their jobs, he says.
The company's Zlín and L-410 aircraft, as well as its gliders, still have customers abroad, mainly in Africa and Latin America, but these aircraft are becoming obsolete. In the past two years there has not been a single army tender worldwide in which Moravan was able to offer its trainers.
Another Czech aircraft manufacturer, Kunovice-based Letecké Závody, also co-owned by Soska, was declared bankrupt in early April. Its official receiver Miroslav Sládek is talking to Rekkof Aircraft about co-operating to restart Fokker 70/100 regional jet production.
LUBOMIR SEDLAK / PRAGUE
Source: Flight International
