You mean the Queens buidling, no? It has been closed for months now. Even before the Iraq conflict started. It looks like it will stay closed for a long time to come…

thanks BAA

AZ has declared an intention as well, but not time-scale has been given. First the Italian government has to dispose of its shares.

KabirT
However, the Italian government must first dilute its 62 percent stake in Alitalia before negotiations can start

Why should the Italian government get rid of their full packet of shares in AZ? The Dutch government retains (for now) 14% with an option to buy 50.1% if the Dutch open-skies argreements are treatened.

France is even better, they will have 44% (of the 54% they hold now) of the shares of AF!

1. Who is Embraer’s major competitor?

As has been mentioned Bombardier with their CRJ line. Later perhaps Fairchild Dornier/D’Long Fairchild, whatever it will be called. Second hand planes should also be considered, mainly the F70/100 and the BAe-146/ARJ.

2. Is Embraer going to keep maufacturing regional airliners or is the company going to start producing aircraft that will encrouch on Boeing’s and Airbus markets for large aircraft?

Would that really be a wise thing to do? Do they have enough (financial) muscle to annoy Boeing and Airbus. On the other hand, the basic 737 design is showing its age and won’t last forever. This may be the best moment for quite a while to come to start such a project. Would they have enough money to do that as I suspect the 170/190 series costed them quite a few quid.

3. The 195 is the largest plane in their line up, (I think). Is Embraer planning on designing a larger plane?

No, nothing has been announced anyway. Please refer to my answer on question 2.
For the foreseeable future they will probably be quite busy with the 170/190 series. Even when the first deliveries are being made. New versions WILL come up, business jet/shuttle, various military tasks, longer range, more quiet etc.

4. What is most comprable to the 170/190/195 line?

The 170 can be compared to the B712 and second hand F70s and the smaller BAe-146s and ARJs.
The 190 with the F100, the larger BAe-146s and ARJs, A318, B736 and if it will ever be build the B713. The A318 and B736 are very heavy though! This will not make them as efficient to use as the 190/F100 and probably ARJ (don’t know for sure). For an airline requiring long range they will be very good, for airlines with extensive families of B737NGs/A320series too.

for instance in one of the other two threads going? Please refer to this one which seems to attract most posts (must admit that most are by me :D):

http://www.keypublishing.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16151

The BBC is reporting that the AF/KLM combo will be the largest in the world! Yes larger then AA (their words)!

Bit surprised to hear that the KLM is in financial dificulties, yes they made a loss but they got massive cash-on-hand reserves unlike certain other *cough*French*cough* airlines. Would AF last without government support? KLM would, and has been for many years!

Insightful information: hopefully.
Inside information: NO.

(most of this has been copied from my previous posts in the other thread)
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From the Dutch NOS news!

Officials from the French unions are reporting that there will indeed be a holding of AF/KLM. This will be officially announced at 07:00 tomorrow morning! Of course the big shots at KLM and AF are keeping quiet! Guarantees for both KLM’s and Schiphol’s existence have been made for at least 8 years!
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A new HOLDING company will be formed supposedly to be called KL-France. They will hold all the shares of KLM and AF (And perhaps AZ? No mention of them!).

This holding company will be owned by KLM and AF. The shares will be split up according to size. Although the split-up has not been announced, AF is twice as large as KLM, so by my fuzy math that would meat that KLM gets roughly 33% and AF gets roughly 66%.

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Allegedly the Dutch government is to keep a 14% share including a “golden vote” (effectively a right of veto on important decissions). This has not been confirmed! Having said that, this reminds me of Fokker… oh my god!

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Some things I am wondering:

* Ownership: will KLM still be KLM, or AF-Nord? Can KLM still make important decissions? Also after the 8 years of guarantees.
* Airports: Will AF, being the largest of the two (threeif AZ joins), try to get all long-haul (=profitable) flights at CDG leaving AMS and Malpensa with the undesirable lot? This is a serious fear here!
* Corporate culture: the French are a bunch of strikers whereas the Dutch are a bunch of talkers (taking it very roughly, don’t be insulted please).
* Unions: in France the unions are extremely strong and powerful (see strikes) whereas the Dutch ones are a bit more tempered.
* Fleet: AF and AZ are big users of the A320series. AZ will replace their MD-80s in a few years and will likely get additional Airbusses. Where does that leave KLM/HV with the comparatively small B737NG fleet?
* Livery: Will there be a (special) SKYteam livery like with the STAR alliance?