'MAJOR' INVESTOR INTEREST IN THIELERT
Twenty-four potential buyers of insolvent Thielert Aircraft Engines are to receive information on which to base due diligence. The 24, who have signed confidentiality agreements, are mainly aircraft industry firms, but include a number of financial investors, according to insolvency administrator Bruno Kübler. Separately, Günter Kappler has been appointed accountable manager, with the approval of the German federal office of civil aviation and the European Aviation Safety Agency, responsible for aviation safety issues in connection with Centurion engines. Thielert ceased operations in April, but subsequently resumed building engines. Its biggest customer, Diamond Aircraft, is developing its own diesel engines and is not thought to be interested in buying the company.
BA EXECUTIVES CHARGED WITH PRICE FIXING
One current and three former British Airways executives have been charged with cartel offences in connection with the UK Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) criminal investigation into price-fixing of fuel surcharges on long-haul passenger flights. The OFT had already last summer fined the carrier £121.5 million ($236.4 million) for colluding with Virgin Atlantic over the timing and level of surcharge hikes between July 2004 and April 2006. The executives, who are due to appear at City of London Magistrates' Court on 24 September, could faces prison sentences of up to five years and/or an unlimited fine.
UK PARLIAMENTARIANS CRITICISE MOD FOR LACK OF NAVAL UAV PROGRAMME
The lack of a UK ministry of defence maritime unmanned air vehicle programme is a cause of "surprise and concern" for the UK's House of Commons defence committee, according to its report on UAV-based intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities. The committee concluded that UAVs should be supporting the limited number of helicopters available to the Royal Navy. The MoD says its early studies found the naval ISTAR UAV role could be carried out by other assets, but it always kept the option under review. The ministry's official response to the committee is expected by October.
ALL-TIME HIGH FOR BUSINESS AIRCRAFT SHIPMENTS
Shipments and billings for business aviation jets and turboprops reached all-time highs in the second quarter, but piston aircraft deliveries nose dived according to the latest statistics from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Industry billings for the first half of the year totalled $12.1 billion, a 24% increase over the first six months of last year. Despite uncertainty about fuel prices and the North American economy, "the energy surrounding the entire spectrum of general aviation remains robust," says GAMA. Turboprop shipments increased from 186 aircraft in the first half of last year to 222 aircraft in the same period this year. First-half business jet shipments jumped to 663 aircraft compared to the 476 aircraft delivered in the same period last year. Manufacturers shipped 1,034 piston-powered aircraft between January and June, 15.7% fewer than the first six months of 2007.
AIRBUS FINALLY REMOVES IRAQI A310 ORDER
Five A310s originally ordered by Iraqi Airways in June 1990 have finally been removed from Airbus's orderbooks, marking the cancellation of the last outstanding order for the A300/A310 family - production of which ceased last year. The order - for which Iraq had specified Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines - had long been seen as dormant, and unlikely ever to be fulfilled, but had been kept on Airbus's backlog pending a formal termination. Iraq's government has committed to acquiring Boeing 737s, 787s and Bombardier regional jets to revive the country's air transport links.
CLUB 328 WOUND UP
UK charter company Club 328 was wound up in July by a county court and the UK government-run Insolvency Service has been appointed as official receiver. Biggin Hill-based Club 328 was acquired late last year by UK businessman Paul Crowther, owner of aircraft broker Planechartering. The company was forced to enter compulsory liquidation due to a lack of funding. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has revoked the company's aircraft operator's certificate.
Source: Flight International
