McDonnell Douglas (MDC) remains optimistic that its MD-80 cargo conversion plan proposed to Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) earlier this year will receive the go-ahead before the end of 1997, despite uncertainty caused by the planned merger with Boeing.
A key aspect of the plan is the supply of MD-90s to China Eastern and China Northern airlines as part of a trade-in for the carrier's combined fleet of 35 MD-80s. The MD-80s would be converted by AVIC into freighters, using a conversion similar to that used for the DC-9 cargo aircraft operated by US freight specialist, Airborne Express.
The MD-80s, to be used by the Chinese Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, would have strengthened main-deck flooring and a cargo bulkhead, basic cargo handling equipment and other adaptions, but would not initially have a large main deck cargo door.
The new MD-90s would be delivered from either MDC's Long Beach production line, or from the Trunkliner line established at Shanghai by Shanghai Aviation Industrial (SAIC). The 20 aircraft being produced at SAIC "-are still looking for a market", says Chen Qinan, director of import/ export at China Aero-Technology Import & Export (CATIC). MDC says, however, that AVIC has "firm commitments" for 15 of the 20 Chinese built MD-90s, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in April 1998.
The timing of deliveries, and the possible split between US and Chinese made aircraft, would depend on how fast the conversion programme moves and how quickly SAIC "-gets up to speed on production," says MDC. The final Shanghai-produced MD-90 is due for delivery in December 2000.
Some Chinese officials have expressed concern over the long-term prospects for the MD-90 given the proposed merger with Boeing, but others point out that the Civil Aviation Administration of China has identified an urgent need for medium-sized freighters in its new five-year plan.
Source: Flight International
