Sale of aircraft likely to be approved by NZ cabinet

Airline Industry Information, Sept 12, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

In a statement made on Sunday (11 September) New Zealand's defence minister Mark Burton revealed that the country's cabinet is likely to approve the sale to foreign buyers of its grounded strike jets and jet trainer aircraft later this week.

The discussions relate to the sale of 17 Vietnam-era Skyhawk fighter-bombers and 17 Aermacchi jet trainers. The aircraft have reportedly been for sale on the international market since 2001.

Further information on the transaction is likely to be released after a cabinet meeting on Monday (12 September). It is thought that the sale of the aircraft will raise in excess of NZD100m.

Advanced Training Systems International Ltd, a private US-based company, and the Malaysian government were previously reported to be expressed interest in the aircraft.

In addition the sale must be approved by the countries that suppliedthe systems on the aircraft, the United States, Britain and Italy, said The Associated Press.

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