Fokker Services states: "The Middle East is main growth area"
Dubai, January 30, 2007 - Fokker Services, a subsidiary of Stork Aerospace, views the Middle East as the area, which should generate the largest demand for its VIP completion services on large-cabin single-aisle business jets. Market analysis done during 2006 strongly suggests that as a result of a combination of increasing oil revenues, changing travel patterns for many of the affluent Middle Eastern passengers and upscaling from smaller business jets, a substantially higher demand for large-cabin single-aisle VIP aircraft would emerge. Significant demand for such aircraft is also emanating from the Russian market.

On the back of the combined market demand for aircraft completions as well as a number of actual orders for such completions, Fokker Services formally launched - at the 2006 NBAA Convention - its Conversion & Completion Center, which is located at its Woensdrecht facility, in the south of The Netherlands. Currently, a Bombardier CRJ700 is in the process of being outfitted. It will shortly be joined by a green Airbus A319 for completion to ACJ configuration.

The original market analysis is vindicated by an overwhelming interest for VIP completions from parties all over the Middle East, particularly for the 2007 and 2008 timeframe, but extending to 2010. Additionally, a significant demand is expected to emerge for upgrades of In-Flight Entertainment systems and communication systems, which date from the mid-to-late nineties.

Aircraft types
Most demand - at least in the short term - has been for completions of green A318s and A319s.
Additional demand exists for completions of green BBJs as well as conversions of pre-owned 737NGs and CRJs. Given its actual experience, Fokker Services primary focus will be on these three main aircraft types. At the same time, there continues to be an interest in further VIP conversions of the Fokker 100. In this respect, an auxiliary fuel tank system, to extend the aircraft's range to some 5,000 km, is currently under development to be fitted initially to a number of Russian Fokker 100s.

OEM heritage
With most of its employees having built up an enormous experience with the former Fokker aircraft manufacturer, Fokker Services is naturally well placed to apply its design, system integration and completion services to green aircraft or conversions of existing ones, as witnessed by its EASA 21.J Design Organisation Approval for Large Aeroplanes as well as its EASA Production Organisation Approval. In addition, there is a significant track record of aircraft having been converted to VIP or special mission use. This includes a number of Fokker 100s, Fokker 70s, F28s and Gulfstream Vs.
The Woensdrecht facility in general, which has 5 hangars with over 16,000 m2 (170,000 ft2) plus supporting workshops, has more than 40 years of experience in maintenance and modifications of all Fokker aircraft and numerous other types as well, including the Boeing 737 and Bombardier CRJ series.
Fokker Services, as the Type Certificate Holder for all Fokker aircraft types, currently supports over 800 Fokker aircraft worldwide with a full range of services. Logistic and component overhaul & repair services are extended to the Bombardier Dash8 series as well. Further growth in the component overhaul & repair market is being pursued as evidenced by the 2006 acquisition of US company AIRINC.
Stork Aerospace develops and produces advanced components and systems for the aviation and aerospace industry, and supplies integrated services and products to aircraft owners and operators. The group achieved a turnover of Eur 551 million in 2005 with 3,385 employees out of the total Stork turnover of Eur 1.82 billion.

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