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)