Airbus to invest in Thailand

BANGKOK, July 5 (TNA) -- European aircraft manufacturer Airbus showcases its medium transport aircraft C295 at Thailand’s U-tapao International Airport where it is hinted to have planned an investment project. Speaking at the airport on Tuesday, Fernando Ciria, head of marketing for Tactical Airlifters and Intelligence, said Airbus believed medium transport and highly versatile tactical airlifter would be in high demands given the world’s security situation. Airbus as some of the countries were already been operating the C295s. Capable of carrying up to nine tons of payload, or up to 71 personnel, at cruise at a maximum speed of 260 kt /480 km/h, C295 was an excellent choice of maritime patrolling activities, search and rescue, maritime patrol and communication intelligence, he said. U-tapao is an important part of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)’s public transport system. Airbus is one of many international companies said to have submitted their investment proposals for the EEC. However, Ciria said he could not reveal any detail of the proposal at the moment. According to the EEC plan, public transport system will connect U-tapao with the high-speed-rail system. Special zones for investment include three main ports; Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut and Sattahip. (TNA)