EADS Socata delivers its first TBM 850 business aircraft to a Bulgarian customer
The six-seat Very Fast Turboprop will provide transportation services for a Bulgarian holding company.
Tarbes, France, 23 January 2008
EADS Socata today announced the first delivery of a TBM 850 high-speed turboprop business aircraft to Bulgaria. This aircraft was acquired by Prima Finance EAD, which is part of the leading Bulgarian group, Albena Invest Holding Plc.
“We are delighted that a prestigious Bulgarian company has selected the TBM 850 Very Fast Turboprop, which will contribute significantly to expanding its future business in Eastern Europe,” said Nicolas Chabbert, EADS Socata’s Vice President Sales & Marketing. “We are particularly proud that the TBM 850’s qualities have been recognized by Albena Invest, opening new doors in the emerging Bulgarian market for light business aviation.”
Listed on the Sofia stock market, Albena Invest Holding Plc is one of the five largest holding companies in Bulgaria with a capital of €60 million. The group manages 15 companies in activities as varied as tourism, transport, furniture manufacturing, and building contracting. The group is the legal successor of Albena Invest Privatization Fund created in 1996 to privatize state-owned companies. At its start, 130 000 bulgarian citizens have purchased stock, raising BGN 3.1 billion. Albena Invest Holding has seen its share price increase by 50% in 2007.
The TBM 850 is world’s fastest civilian single engine turboprop aircraft, with a maximum cruising speed of 320 KTAS (593 km/h) at flight level 260 (in ISA conditions). An 850-hp version of EADS Socata’s six-seat TBM 700 turboprop business aircraft, the TBM 850 combines the cruising speed and travel times of a light jet with economical operating costs and a lower environmental signature. Its ability to operate from small airfields, 1500-NM maximum range and increased payload are benefits equally appreciated by its operators.
Based in Tarbes, France, with a North American operation in Pembroke Pines, Florida, USA, EADS Socata is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, a global leader in aeronautics, aerospace, defense and related services.
In 2006, EADS generated revenues of € 39.4 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter, and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programmes from Ariane to Galileo. Its Defence & Security Division is a provider of comprehensive systems solutions and makes EADS the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium as well as a stakeholder in the missile systems provider MBDA. EADS also develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division.
Media contacts:
| Philippe de Segovia | EADS SOCATA |
Tel.: +33 (0)6 70 21 70 47 www.socata.eads.net |
| Gergana Petrova | Albena Invest Holding Plc |
Tel.: +359 / 2 951 6053 www.albhold.com |
