Andy Nativi/GENOA
Finmeccanica is stepping up efforts to buy the 75% of Italian aerospace manufacturer Aeronautica Macchi it does not already own. Its aim is to strengthen its hand in final negotiations on the form of its planned aerospace joint venture with EADS. The Italian conglomerate's president, Alberto Lina, and chief executive Giuseppe Bono say they hope to close a deal soon.
Aermacchi's strengths in the military trainer sector would boost Finmeccanica's bid to win trainer leadership for Alenia within the new "EMAC" venture, ahead of EADS, which has inherited the Mako programme from the former DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, plus other expertise from CASA. Within Europe, Alenia also faces competition from BAE Systems - which is studying further versions of the Hawk - and possibly Dassault, which may bid to enter the high end of the trainer market despite the closure of its Alpha Jet programme.
Aermacchi has products ranging from piston-engined basic trainers up to the government-backed AEM-346 advanced trainer. The company is also involved in other programmes including the AMX venture with Brazil, and Eurofighter, and has recently diversified into civil and space manufacture. Aermacchi made a net profit of L11.6 billion ($50 million) on sales of L428 billion last year, and has a workforce of 2,161.
• Italian regional Air Dolomiti, currently worth L26.5 billion, is to expand its capital base and float up to 30% of its stock as it moves into regional jet operations. Share-holders in the carrier, led by the Leali family (62%) but also including Lufthansa (26%), have approved the plan.
Dolomiti has a fleet of 16 ATR 42/72 turboprops, but has ordered three Bombardier CRJs for March 2001 delivery, plus three options. It took a L8.7 billions loss on sales of L184 billion last year, but anticipates a small profit for 2000.
Source: Flight International
