Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is making another bid to launch its C-5Wa Airtruck cargo aircraft programme.
The 12.5t payload twin-turboprop aircraft, which has been on the drawing board for several years, had been aimed at FedEx Express's requirement for 100 aircraft to replace its Fokker F27 and Boeing 727 freighters. It is not clear, however, whether the US express package carrier is still considering the Airtruck.
Efforts are now being made to locate more potential customers for the Airtruck, and lower production costs. An IAI-commissioned study puts the potential market for the Airtruck in Europe and the USA at 600-700 aircraft. A senior IAI source confirms there are two or three cargo operators that are considered potential customers. "At the same time we are talking to aircraft manufacturers in the USA, Europe and Asia to try and form the right partnership," says the source.
Source: Flight International
