Airbus cancels Sudan Airways' 45 million dollar debt: minister
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KHARTOUM (AFP) - European aviation consortium Airbus Industrie has cancelled the 45-million dollar debt owed to it by Sudan Airways, Sudanese Aviation Minister Ali Tamim Fartak said.
In return, the European firm will win the majority of the ailing carrier's contracts for new aircraft of various types to boost its fleet, Fartak told the official SUNA news agency.
FCKC From France, joined Nov 2004, 2142 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1067 times:
Do we have any idea of the types and the numbers SD is planning to acquire?
First SD has to put some order in their house , before placing an order !!!!!!!
MIASkies From United States, joined Jun 2004, 1211 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1048 times:
Well considering they just canceled their debt I would think they would win the order...Sudan would be obliged to go Airbus and they are in the "watch list" for all U.S. financial institution; meaning = they cannot do business w/ the U.S., meaning = No Boeing.
Phaeton From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 406 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 915 times:
Why is Sudan Airways considering first-hand aircraft? Wouldn't it be more wise for them to pick up some 15-year-old A320 or 737 standing around somewhere?
"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.", Winston Churchill
N79969 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 806 times:
Besides the incredibly bad business sense in this decision, why on earth is anyone cutting the Sudanese government any slack whatsoever? The Sudanense government is in the middle of conducting of mass murder. Why does Airbus want to business with these people?
Flying-Tiger From Germany, joined Aug 1999, 3979 posts, RR: 45 Reply 6, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 753 times:
Well, as a cynic you could say that the US government is conducting murder in Iraq as well - so why do business with them? But that´s political and doesn´t belong here - for that there is an Off-topic Forum. We should never forget that usually moral comes after business - and that´s the case for companies from both sides of the Atlantic.
Back to the point: Sudan and the southern Sudan provinces just weeks ago signed a peace accord for the first time in decades, and except for the Dafur province it appears to be quite calm in Sudan.
Even though the article says "new aircraft" it doesn´t necessarily mean factory fresh planes. A 5 year old 320 is still a "new" aircraft. I guess we´re talking here about a mix of A320 and 330s, maybe 5 + 1. Airbus must think that cancelling the debt is making sense to them, otherwise they wouldn´t cancelled it. Maybe they don´t think that they will ever get this "old" money due to contractual issues, and they think it is better to have a fresh start than to sit on an old pile of debt they will never get. We will never know it...
KL808 From United States, joined May 1999, 1547 posts, RR: 11 Reply 7, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 739 times:
Well theres been talks in Paris by major bankers (read world bank) to forgive debts to a LOT of countries. this might be one of those or could be a begining of a string to come.
MidnightMike From United States, joined Mar 2003, 2892 posts, RR: 37 Reply 8, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 703 times:
Forgiving $45 million in debt, sheesh, what makes Airbus think that they are going to pay their bills this time.
DAYflyer From United States, joined Sep 2004, 3807 posts, RR: 8 Reply 9, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 651 times:
Talk about politics. Another example of a bought order from the marketing wonders at Airbus and the EU. Then they have the nerve to call Boeing's orders in Japan for the 787 "political orders". What hypocrisy.
Flying-Tiger From Germany, joined Aug 1999, 3979 posts, RR: 45 Reply 10, posted (4 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 484 times:
@DAYflyer: please prove the involvement of the EU here... it appears to be a decision by Airbus only, no EU involvement whatsoever as far as I can see.
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