chuks
15th Mar 2005, 16:53
AvCraft is now under administration after encountering financial difficulties. They were due to re-start manufacture of the Dornier 328 Jet (J328) soon but now seem to have run out of money so that they have finally been forced to stop trading.
It would seem that steps are being taken to ensure the continued operation of the existing aircraft. On the other hand it is doubtful that financing can be secured to re-start production even though there were some orders in place.
The aircraft is technically good, with a good safety record, but the 328 program has been troubled from the start, coming late to market and then selling in disappointlingly small numbers (about 110 turboprops and about 83 jets). The largest operator is now Hainan Airlines of the People's Republic of China. The largest US operator of the type parked its fleet of 328 Jets.
Meanwhile the manufacturer has changed hands thrice, being bought from the original owners by Daimler Benz and then sold on to US manufacturer Fairchild, seemingly because Daimler Benz wanted to see the back of an under-performing subsidiary that was proving to be a money hole. When Fairchild then ran out of money after becoming grossly over-extended by attempting simultaneously to develop the 428, 728 and 928 Dornier was split into four parts, with the manufacturing arm being largely taken over by another US concern, AvCraft.
It would seem that steps are being taken to ensure the continued operation of the existing aircraft. On the other hand it is doubtful that financing can be secured to re-start production even though there were some orders in place.
The aircraft is technically good, with a good safety record, but the 328 program has been troubled from the start, coming late to market and then selling in disappointlingly small numbers (about 110 turboprops and about 83 jets). The largest operator is now Hainan Airlines of the People's Republic of China. The largest US operator of the type parked its fleet of 328 Jets.
Meanwhile the manufacturer has changed hands thrice, being bought from the original owners by Daimler Benz and then sold on to US manufacturer Fairchild, seemingly because Daimler Benz wanted to see the back of an under-performing subsidiary that was proving to be a money hole. When Fairchild then ran out of money after becoming grossly over-extended by attempting simultaneously to develop the 428, 728 and 928 Dornier was split into four parts, with the manufacturing arm being largely taken over by another US concern, AvCraft.