AeroVodochody faces ultimatum
Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody, founded in 1919, probably lays a fair claim to being the oldest airframer still active today.

Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody, founded in 1919, probably lays a fair claim to being the oldest airframer still active today. The company’s days may be numbered, however, if it doesn’t start turning a profit next year.

After a partial privatization in the 1990s, Aero Vodochody returned into full state ownership in 2004 when Boeing sold its one-third share. After repeated losses, the Czech government sold the company late last year to the private equity fund Penta from neighboring Slovakia.