IPTN pushes N-250 plane sales in Paris
IPTN pushes N-250 plane sales in Paris
By Endy M. Bayuni
PARIS (JP): PT IPTN, the Indonesian state-run aircraft
company, is pushing the sales of its new N-250 turboprop plane at
the ongoing Paris Air Show.
Among the meetings held at the IPTN chalet at Le Bourget since
the Air Show began Sunday, one involved the signing of an
agreement with representatives of the Baadenwurtenberg government
to set up a joint venture company, based in the German state, to
handle the promotion and sales of N-250s, a company spokesperson
said yesterday.
IPTN will have 25.1 percent equity in European Regional
Aircraft Indonesia (Eurai) AG, as the new joint venture company
is called, with the rest of the equity going to the
Baadenwurtenberg state government and the Lahr mayoralty, the
spokesperson said.
The first prototype of the plane, nicknamed Gatotkoco, is here
taking part in the static and dynamic exhibitions, making its
first exhibition flight outside Indonesia since its maiden flight
in Jakarta in August 1995.
Pending the commercial launch of N-250 sales, which is
expected in 1999, Eurai AG will handle the promotional campaign.
Thereafter, it will handle sales, leasing arrangements,
maintenance, product support and sales of spare parts.
The agreement stipulates that Eurai AG will open an N-250
assembly line if sales exceed 12 airplanes a year, the
spokesperson said.
IPTN President B.J. Habibie told a news conference here
Tuesday that he hoped to obtain an airworthiness certificate for
the N-250 from Indonesian authorities in March 1999 at the
latest, from the European Joint Aviation Authority one month
later, and from the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority three months
after that.
IPTN has already set up a number of subsidiaries outside
Indonesia which are expected to handle the sales of its products.
These include IPTN-Europe Gmbh, based in Lemwerder, Germany, and
the American Regional Aircraft Industry (Amrai) based in Alabama.
There is also IPTN-North America based in Seattle, Washington,
and a representative office in Abu Dhabi.
The airworthiness tests are currently being conducted on
Kerincingwesi, the second N-250 prototype, which made its maiden
flight from Bandung, West Java, last December.
This week, IPTN also extended a cooperation agreement with
Airbus Industrie regarding the certification process of the N-
250, given Airbus' experience in the use of the fly-by-wire
system, which the Indonesian plane also uses, according to the
spokesperson.
So far, IPTN has already received orders for around 200 N-250
planes. Merpati Nusantara Airlines ordered 100 planes (15 firm
orders and an option for 85 more), Sempati Air ordered 16 (six
firm and an option for 10 more), Bouraq Airways ordered 62 (five
firm and option for the rest) and Gulfstream ordered 10.
Officials have said IPTN needs to sell at least 259 planes to
break even.
Shopping
Meanwhile the presence of Indonesia's Air Force Chief of Staff
Marshal Sutria Tubagus raised speculation that the Indonesian
military was shopping for new jet fighters after Jakarta canceled
its plan to buy nine F-16s from the U.S. last month.
The speculation was dismissed by State Minister of National
Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, who is also in town
for an official visit. He said that Indonesia was currently
reviewing its air defense systems, but had not made any decisions
regarding how many new fighters, or what kinds of fighters, were
needed.
But when questioned by a French journalist on the issue,
Habibie, who is also the state minister of research and
technology, said Tuesday, "There are various possibilities,
including French (jet fighters)."
IPTN officials said Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung
also arrived in Paris yesterday to view the air show.
Feisal's schedule at Le Bourget today includes witnessing the
signing of a series of new agreements between the Air Force and
IPTN, including the procurement of 16 Superpuma 332 helicopters
which the Indonesian company produces under license, and 10 NC-
212 planes.
Airbus -- Page 10