Inaca plans leasing firm for N-250

Inaca plans leasing firm for N-250

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian National Air Carrier Association
(Inaca) is ready to set up a leasing company to support sales of
the country's first domestically-designed, medium-range, commuter
aircraft, the N-250, an executive said yesterday.

The association's secretary-general, Benny Rungkat, suggested
yesterday that the state-owned aircraft company IPTN ask the
Ministry of Finance, banks and airline companies to join the
proposed leasing company as shareholders.

"Such a leasing company will help domestic airlines to use the
N-250," he said, Antara reported.

Benny, who is also vice president of Bouraq Airlines,
acknowledged that most domestic airline companies cannot afford
to buy the N-250 aircraft on a cash payment basis.

He said the N-250, which costs between US$13.5 million and
US$14.5 million, is quite suitable for operations in the country.

"The fly-by-wire technology makes the N-250 very competitive
in its class. The price is also about US$2 million cheaper," he
said.

The aircraft, equipped with an Allison engine, is the best in
the world and 25 percent more efficient in fuel consumption than
its ATP and Fokker-27 rivals, he said.

President and First Lady Tien Soeharto, Vice President and
Mrs. Try Sutrisno and members of the cabinet witnessed the 56
minutes of N-250's first flight from IPTN's runway, outside of
Bandung, on Thursday. (04)