JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Dutch holding company Rekkof Aircraft has revived efforts to relaunch production of the Rolls-Royce Tay 650-powered Fokker 70/100 family, five years after abandoning an earlier attempt.
Rekkof has held talks with many of the European Fokker 70 operators over the past 18 months and claims to have secured expressions of interest for over 50 aircraft. It is in full contract negotiation with two airlines, says Rekkof commercial director Ruud Kleinendorst.
The company is undergoing due diligence with a group of investors to finance a €150 million ($190 million) production restart, which will begin once deposits for 80 aircraft are secured, he adds.
Rekkof says Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines are among companies expected to place an order. R-R confirms that it is involved in the revival effort.
Assembly is likely to be undertaken at Lelystad, near Amsterdam, and suppliers have been identified for all the major components. Rekkof aims to start aircraft production by the middle of this year and predicts the first aircraft will be completed by 2006.
Source: Flight International
