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Romaero

From Alfawiki
Romaero
Company typePublic company
IndustryAerospace
PredecessorÎntreprinderea de Reparații Material Aeronautic (IRMA), IAvB – Întreprinderea de Avioane București
Founded1920; 106 years ago (1920)
FateFiled for insolvency in January 2024
Headquarters
Bucharest (Băneasa district)
,
Romania
Area served
International
ProductsAircraft maintenance, manufacturing components, aircraft production (historically)
OwnerState Assets Administration Authority (debt management as of 2024)
Websiteromaero.ro


Romaero, originally known as Întreprinderea de Reparații Material Aeronautic (IRMA), is a Romanian aerospace enterprise located in the Băneasa district of Bucharest. In recent times, the company has primarily focused on aircraft maintenance and manufacturing components for international clients.

Established by a Royal Decree in 1920 under the name ASAM, the organization was renamed IRMA in 1944. It underwent another rebranding in 1978 to become IAvB – Întreprinderea de Avioane București ('Bucharest Aircraft Enterprise'). The current name, Romaero S.A., was adopted in 1991. One of the company’s most notable production projects was the large-scale manufacturing of the British-designed Britten-Norman Islander, with over 500 airframes reportedly completed within Romania. Additionally, Romaero independently developed the [[BAC One-Eleven|Rombac 1Template:Hyphen11]] airliner, a licensed variant of the BAC One-Eleven, although this program failed to meet sales expectations and was discontinued in the late 1990s.

Founding and Initial Development

From its inception, particularly during its period as IRMA, the company specialized in comprehensive maintenance and overhaul services for various aircraft models. It notably serviced numerous Soviet-origin planes such as the Li-2, IL-14, IL-18, Antonov An-2, An-24, An-26, and An-30. Besides maintenance, Romaero produced several domestically designed aircraft categorized mainly as light aircraft or agricultural aircraft, including models like the IAR-818, IAR-821, and IAR-822.

In 1968, IRMA secured a license agreement to manufacture the British twin-engine utility aircraft, the Britten-Norman Islander. The company asserts it produced more than 500 units of this model, accounting for approximately half of all Islanders ever built. Although production ceased in the late 1990s, discussions to restart Islander manufacturing were reportedly advanced by 2002. Nevertheless, Britten-Norman ultimately chose to consolidate production back within their own facilities.

ROMBAC One-Eleven

Main article: BAC One-Eleven
File:Luc Willems YR-BRE.jpg
Romavia Rombac 1Template:Hyphen11
File:Ryanair Bucuresti Rombac 1-11-561RC One-Eleven JetPix-1.jpg
A Ryanair Rombac One-Eleven at Stuttgart Airport (1992)

On 9 June 1979, Romanian leader Nicolae Ceaușescu formalized an agreement with British Aerospace to produce the BAC One-Eleven under license in Romania. The arrangement included the supply of three complete One-Eleven aircraft (two from the 500 series and one from the 475 series) alongside plans to assemble at least 22 units in Bucharest, progressively decreasing British-sourced components. Additionally, Romanian manufacturing of Spey engines was part of the deal, with certification overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority to meet British standards. The anticipated market for these Romanian-built planes was estimated at up to 80 units, targeting primarily China, other developing nations, and Eastern Europe. The aircraft was renamed Rombac 1Template:Hyphen11.[1][2]

The inaugural Rombac One-Eleven (YR-BRA cn 401), a series 561RC model, was unveiled at Romaero's Băneasa facility on 27 August 1982 and took its maiden flight on 18 September that year. Production persisted until 1989 but proceeded significantly slower than initially anticipated. In total, nine aircraft were completed and delivered; production ceased on the tenth and eleventh units when they were approximately 85% and 70% finished respectively.[1][3] The first delivery to TAROM occurred on 29 December 1982.[4] Apart from two aircraft allocated to Romavia, all produced Rombacs were absorbed by the Romanian national airline. The final plane (YR-BRI cn 409) was handed over on 1 January 1993. Due to Romania’s declining economic conditions and international standing, supply chains for One-Eleven production slowed dramatically, with foreign currency limitations causing delays in importing components;[1][3] meanwhile, anticipated markets showed limited demand despite some Rombacs being leased to European operators. Furthermore, the One-Eleven’s noise emissions and fuel consumption lagged behind newer American and Western European competitors.

After the overthrow of Ceaușescu's regime, there were initiatives to revive production using the Rolls-Royce Tay engines. British leasing firm Associated Aerospace committed to a $1 billion contract for fifty Tay-powered One-Elevens equipped with modern electronic glass cockpits, intended for leasing within Western markets; however, this agreement ended when Associated Aerospace was liquidated in April 1991. Efforts to market the One-Eleven persisted throughout the 1990s.[1][5][6][7] In 1993, US-based Kiwi International Air Lines placed a confirmed order for eleven Tay-powered models with options for five more; nevertheless, this plan ultimately collapsed.[8] By April 1997, Romaero declared it was ceasing attempts to launch its planned One-Eleven modernization project named the Airstar 2500.[9]

Post-Cold War

Throughout the 1990s, the enterprise, which had recently adopted the name Romaero, significantly expanded its presence in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry, servicing a wide array of commercial aircraft for numerous European clients.[10] Additionally, it established partnerships with several global manufacturers as a subcontractor, handling subassembly and production tasks for firms including Bombardier Aviation on the CL-415 flying boat and for Boeing models such as the 737 and 757. Romaero also maintained its longstanding collaboration with Britten-Norman.[10][11]

In early 1999, it was revealed that Britten-Norman intended to purchase the company from the Romanian government for $80.5 million.[10] Concurrently, Britten-Norman outlined plans to inject significant investment into Romaero’s manufacturing infrastructure at Băneasa Airport, focusing on enhancing design and MRO capabilities.[10][12] Nevertheless, this acquisition was ultimately canceled due to disagreements regarding the purchase price. In 2000, Romaero achieved a milestone by becoming the first aerospace firm in Romania to obtain JAR-145 certification from the Joint Aviation Authorities, bolstering its credibility as an MRO service provider.[13]

During the 2000s, Romaero actively pursued involvement in Western European aircraft manufacturing initiatives. A notable agreement in 2003 with BAE Systems assigned Romaero the production of cargo conversion kits for the British Aerospace ATP regional airliner; the first unit was completed by 2004.[14][15] In 2006, a long-term contract was formalized with Saab AB concerning the fabrication of subassemblies and components; Saab described this partnership as a strategic alliance.[16] That same year saw announcements that Romaero would undertake manufacturing tasks on the ATR 42 and ATR 72 regional aircraft, transferring work previously based in Naples. This shift was regarded as an initial move toward involvement in additional projects by Alenia Aeronautica, including the Alenia C-27J Spartan.[17]

In 2003, Romaero was designated by American aerospace firm Lockheed Martin as a service center for repairs on C-130 Hercules aircraft.[18] After Romania acquired Patriot missile defense systems, a memorandum was signed in 2019 between Raytheon and Romaero for producing component parts and mechanical subassemblies related to these systems. Presently, Romaero manufactures elements for the AN/MPQ-65 radar.[19]

Facing financial difficulties and other challenges, Romaero filed for insolvency in January 2024. By June of that year, its outstanding debt was transferred to the State Assets Administration Authority (AAAS) to facilitate attracting new investors.[20] As part of its restructuring efforts, Romaero signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Polish company WZL-2 from Bydgoszcz regarding maintenance services for the new C-130 aircraft acquired by the Romanian Air Force.[21] Furthermore, collaboration commenced with Hungary's Aeroplex Central Europe focusing on civil aircraft maintenance and repair.[22]

See also

Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chorlton Aeroplane November 2012, pp. 80–81.
  2. ↑ Taylor 1982, p. 173.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Pilling Air International October 1992, p. 213.
  4. ↑ Pilling Air International October 1992, p. 214.
  5. ↑ Pilling Air International October 1992, pp. 213–214.
  6. ↑ Beech, Eric. "Rombac Tay 1-11s offered for lease". Flight International, Vol. 137, No. 4209, 28 March–3 April 1990, pp. 4–5.
  7. ↑ "Commercial Aircraft of the World: Rombac". Flight International, Vol. 140 No. 4283, 4–10 September 1991, pp. 70–71.
  8. ↑ Daly, Kieron. "Kiwi banks on Romanian cash". Flight International, Vol 143, No. 4369, 12–18 May 1993. p. 11.
  9. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Bibliography

  • Chorlton, Martyn. "Database: British Aircraft Corporation One-Eleven". Aeroplane, Vol. 40 No. 11, November 2012. pp. 67–82. ISSN 0143-7240.
  • Pilling, Mark. "Whatever happened to the Romanian One-Eleven?". Air International, Vol. 43 No. 4, October 1992. pp. 212–214. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.

External links

Template:Romanian aerospace industry

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