Development ministry at talks with Russia’s Sukhoi on new national airline – UPDATE

Budapest (MTI) – Representatives of the development ministry and Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi held talks on Monday about founding a new Hungarian national airline company, public news channel M1 reported.

Sukhoi is planned to supply six new aircraft and contribute capital to setting up the new company. Initial consultations with the ministry were held in October last year. The national airline is expected to generate 110 million euros annual profit contributing to Hungary’s GDP.

Evgeny Andrachnikov, Sukhoi’s managing director in charge of civil aircraft manufacturing, told the channel that Hungary’s national airline would offer an excellent springboard for the company’s Superjet 100 aircraft. Sukhoi would be a reliable partner that is willing to share not only the success but also the risks associated with the new company, he added.

State secretary for transport policy László Tasó said the ministry would consider any project that serves the interests of Hungary and its people.

Hungary’s former national airline Malév folded in February 2012 after 66 years of continual operation.

UPDATE

In a statement sent to MTI on Tuesday the National Development Ministry stressed that talks are only at a preliminary phase and it was too early to tell what the conclusion would be.

The ministry is willing to examine opportunities for cooperation, but nothing definite has been discussed yet and the parties agreed that Sukhoi would present a more detailed offer first.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters