Beriev looks to Bombardier to assist in getting the Be-200 FAA certification

Published: 10/7/1999

Vladimir Serov, Deputy Director General of the Russian-Swiss joint venture, Betair, has said that negotiations are continuing on the use of Bombardier's infrastructure for the operation of the Russian amphibian Be-200 and the funding of its certification under FAA regulations. Serov considers Bombardier's support of the Be-200 to be pivotal in terms of its market potential, especially in Canada and the USA. Estimates suggest that demand for the Be-200 in the Asia-Pacific region could be 390 aircraft, by 2011. According to Serov, positive discussions are taking place with China on sale of the Be-200, with the layout and technical terms of the delivery having already been agreed. The aircraft will be supplied from Russia, as opposed to licensed production in China. Other potential buyers are reputed to be South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia. Serov claims that the current production capacity at IAPO of six aircraft per year may soon be doubled and that payback should be possible within four years, with breakeven after the sale of the first 46-48 Be-200s.

Article ID: 952