VarigLog bid for Brazilian flag-carrier
Owners of the former Varig air freight subsidiary VarigLog are offering to acquire the assets of the beleaguered Brazilian flag-carrier for $500 million, free of debts and obligations, as time ran out for a takeover bid by a Varig employee group TGV, which had been seeking a loan from public development bank BNDES to progress with its planned $449 million acquisition. The Brazilian government was last week negotiating travel arrangements for its nationals abroad after Varig abandoned much of its long-haul network.
A380 orders under scrutiny
lessor International Lease Finance (ILFC) is thought to be considering cancelling some or all of its order for 10 Airbus A380s, after the manufacturer’s recent announcement of a further slip in the A380 delivery schedule, while Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is facing calls to scrap its order for six aircraft from a union representing thousands of its employees. The Malaysian Airline System Employees Union (MASEU) has written to the Malaysian prime minister calling for the deal for six aircraft to be scrapped until the financially-troubled airline returns to profitability.
Cathay orders six 747-400ERFs
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways has ordered six Boeing 747-400ER freighters in what it says is its biggest-ever single commitment for new cargo aircraft. The six Pratt & Whitney PW4062A-powered new-build extended-range freighters are scheduled for delivery between May 2008 and April 2009. Cathay’s freighter fleet currently comprises 14 747 cargo aircraft – one 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), six 747-400Fs and seven 747-200Fs. It has committed to adding at least five more 747-400BCFs.
AAI snaps up Australian UAV specialist
AAI Corporation has acquired Australia’s Aerosonde unmanned air vehicle (UAV) company in a $6.5 million deal. The takeover follows the friendly ending of Aerosonde’s two-year strategic relationship with Lockheed Martin in March. AAI and Aerosonde teamed in April to pursue the US Marine Corps current Tier 2 tactical UAV requirement, a source selection for which is due in the next month.
JCA MoU pushes first deliveries back
First deliveries of the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) have been delayed from fiscal year 2008 to 2010 under a memorandum of understanding signed by the US Army and Air Force. The MoU sets out a requirement for 70 US Army and 75 US Air Force intra-theatre airlifters. Contenders are the L-3 Communications/Alenia Aeronautica/Boeing C-27J, Lockheed Martin C-130J and Raytheon/EADS Casa CN235 and C-295. The two services agreed to define a broader joint requirement, with an updated request for proposals to be ready by mid-July, and to amend the army’s analysis of alternatives by July next year to reflect USAF needs.
India embarks on titanium tube production
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken delivery of its first batch of indigenously made titanium half-alloy tubes for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), from Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC). The tubes are used for hydraulic power transmission. India has large titanium reserves and is setting up a production plant in the southern state of Kerala with a $22 million investment by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Chile drops A400M commitment
Chile has decided to drop plans to purchase three Airbus Military A400M transports and upgrade its Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules fleet instead. Santiago had signed a letter of intent for the aircraft. The decision means the A400M orderbook remains at 192.
Source: Flight International