Diamond Aircraft has delayed the opening of its new factory in Binzhou, China until at least October. The Austrian manufacturer in late April unveiled plans to open a Chinese factory in August, but did not reveal the location. The manufacturer confirms the factory will be in Binzhou in Shandong province and says it is now on schedule to be completed in October. It says it will reveal production plans after the factory opens.
Diamond has already secured orders for 64 aircraft from Chinese flight- training schools and expects to sell more aircraft in this fast-growing sector. Binzhou is the first airport in China designed for flight training and already hosts a locally owned general aviation company that has partnered Diamond Aircraft to build the factory. Industry sources who have recently visited the newly opened airport doubt construction of the factory can be completed in October, but Diamond says its Chinese partners are confident the opening will not be further delayed.
BRENDAN SOBIE/SHANGHAI
Source: Flight International
