Manufacturer prepares for big increase in production of 56- to 60-seat turboprop
China’s Xian Aircraft is preparing to increase production of its 56- to 60-seat MA60 turboprop to as many as 38 aircraft a year to meet soaring demand from African and Asian regional carriers.
Industry sources say Xian has asked its suppliers if they can manufacture components to support the production of 30 MA60s in 2007 and 38 MA60s in 2008. This represents a huge increase for Xian, which only delivered two MA60s last year and is expected to deliver about five this year.
Several foreign suppliers – including Hamilton Sundstrand, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Rockwell Collins – are trying to determine whether they can meet Xian’s request. Sources say it may be difficult to manufacture the components in time given the required nine- to 12-month lead times and Xian, which so far has only placed orders for some of the requested parts, must place more orders with suppliers within the next few weeks.
Sources say Xian is ramping up production to meet an anticipated 50 new orders by 2007. Only a few of these orders have already been firmed up, including two from Zambia and three from Congo, but several larger deals are expected to be signed shortly, including the purchase of up to 20 aircraft by Indonesia.
Xian only exported its first two MA60s last year, to Air Zimbabwe, and delivered a third to the African carrier earlier this year. Xian is now preparing to deliver two MA60s to Nepal.
Zimbabwe signed up in 2004 as the launch customer for a new upgraded variant that incorporates a more comfortable interior and improved propeller. Nepal was the second customer, placing an order in 2005 for two aircraft in air force VIP configuration.
Xian only managed to sell 11 of the original version, certificated in 2000, and all of these were quickly removed from service by their Chinese operators following complaints from pilots and passengers.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
