Raytheon Shows Beech 1900D;
But Axes Beech 1900

Despite bringing a Beech 1900D commuter airliner and light freighter from New Zealand to appear in the static park at Asian Aviation, Raytheon has taken the not unexpected decision to terminate production. The company had had only recently disclose a reduction of the manufacturing rate to accommodate the effects of a longer term decline being worsened by the recent steeper downturn in air travel.

Speaking at the Show yesterday, Raytheon International's Chairman and CEO, Tom Culligan said the market for 1900Ds had "changed dramatically" and he revealed, "We've already slowed production, but in the future we won't be doing that. The 1900 is coming to an end."

More positively, however, Culligan predicted, "In the next two years we will get growth in business and commercial aviation" upon which the company will be able to capitalize with its new business jets, the Hawker Horizon, Hawker 450 and Premier.

By Paul Jackson