IPTN signs contract with Airbus

JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned aircraft manufacturer Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) signed a cooperation contract yesterday with Airbus Industrie to produce wing components for its A330 and A340 aircraft.

The company announced that under the contract, which was signed by Airbus' German partner Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus (DASA) and IPTN, they will produce the flap-track component for the A330/A340 and ship-sets to be delivered in the last quarter of this year.

"Airbus and IPTN are expanding cooperation," said Gerrard Guyot of the Airbus Industrie, who is also a special advisor to IPTN's President B.J. Habibie.

He said it is the first time the two companies have cooperated in making components for Airbus aircraft.

Airbus Industrie is 37.9 percent owned by Aerospatiale of France, 37.9 percent by Daimler-Benz Aerospace airbus of Germany, 20 percent by British Aerospace, and 4.2 percent by CASA of Spain. It has two subsidiaries: Airbus Industrie of North America and Airbus Industrie China Ltd.

Airbus is the technical consultant for IPTN.

"We helped IPTN in the flight testing of the N-250 turboprop airliner," said Guyot.

According to Patrick Dumont, an Airbus senior airline analyst, the A-330 and A-340 jet aircraft have contributed most of the company's income.

He said that the two jetliners, which can fly 800 kilometers per hour and have a seat capacity of between 250 and 350 passengers, have 44 percent of the world market of wide-bodied jetliners.

"We have sold 400 units of the two Airbus types," he said.

Recalling that the Indonesian flag-carrier has regularly ordered airplanes from Airbus, he said that Garuda will receive its first order of A-330 next December.

According to Dumont, Garuda, which has been operating 13 A- 300s has ordered nine A-330s. (13)