Fighter-jet maker Sukhoi is moving ahead to strike its first international civil
aircraft deal with U.S.-based Alliance Aircraft Corp. on a new regional jet to
market abroad and domestically.
However, even before the first jet leaves the factory, industry analysts said
there is little room for a new regional liner on the crowded world market and
several local designs already in the air.
Earlier this month, the Sukhoi aviation complex announced it planned to join
Alliance to make a family of regional 50 to 110-seat airliners under the name of
StarLiner. The plane, using the latest technology, is to enter the world market
in 2003.
Alliance already has ``letters of intent for 30 aircraft`` and is in
``discussion with five airlines,`` Reuters quoted Alliance president and CEO
Earl Robinson as saying. He did not name the airlines.
Robinson is a former executive of U.S. plane maker Fairchild Dornier.
The contract with Sukhoi is being finalized, but is expected to be signed in
July or August of this year, said Andrei Ilyin, general director of Sukhoi's
recently created civilian-craft division.
Alliance was set up last year by ``a group of private individuals,`` he said,
but did not name the group members.
Meanwhile, Sukhoi staff are participating in the design of the jet.
The new plane will be a turbojet made in versions with 50, 70, 90 or 100 seats.
An Airclaims` Blue Print newsletter quoted by Reuters says Alliance is buoyed by
$500 million in financial guarantees from private financial organizations and a
consortium of investment banks.
The craft is to be produced at an Alliance factory that is yet to be built,
while Sukhoi will provide engineering and design expertise and supply parts for
the production line.
Sukhoi offers…
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