US operator appears to be in discussion with Malev, but unhappy about the interest in its project

Published: 11/23/1999

It seems that the speculation over the last few weeks regarding the interest of the US maintenance and repair business, Aviation Sales Company (ASC), in Central Europe may have some substance, according to comments from Malev"s maintenance arm, Aeroplex. The Miami-based company, one of the largest repair and component distributors in the USA, was reported as being interested in building a central aircraft repair plant for the whole of Central Europe in the Czech Republic. Reports in the Czech newspaper Mlada fronta Dnes, on 10th November, linked Aviation Sales with potential developments in the Czech Republic, along with UK developer Wiggins Group, which is also actively considering projects in the area (www.concise.org ) It appears that the real focus of interest is Hungary, at least according to Malev. The Aviation Sales Company is a great deal less forthcoming, commenting that it has released no information and any details of discussions have come from the Hungarian side. It has no other comment, beyond a reluctant confirmation that discussions are taking place. For Malev, the announcement, made without the agreement of ASC, appears to be curious, given the already public discussions between Malev and Lufthansa Tecknik (LHT) for the jv development of a Hungarian-based facility for aircraft overhaul. The decision on LHT is due soon from Malev"s board, but whether the potential ventures could work alongside each other at the Aeroplex complex is highly debatable.

Article ID: 1120