Reactions Mixed In Wake Of Chinese Deal For Hawker

Reactions have been heavily mixed in the wake of Monday night’s announcement that Superior Aviation of Beijing, China, has agreed to acquire financially troubled Hawker Beechcraft, minus its Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) division, for $1.79 billion. The majority of business aviation analysts contacted by AIN believe the Chinese firm is overpaying for the Wichita, Kansas-based aircraft manufacturer, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

But Kansas governor Sam Brownback–speaking here at Farnborough to AINtv–stressed it’s not yet a done deal and vowed to retain Hawker Beechcraft jobs in his state.