Hopes rise at Fokker with four on shortlist

FOKKER'S chances of survival a turn for the better on Tuesday as a shortlist of potential buyers was lined up to salvage the ailing planemaker.

But the 76 year old firm warned that a rescue deal was likely to leave holders of its shares and bonds empty handed.

Analysts said Fokker had clearly signalled that the shares, were worthless, with any proceeds of an asset sell off being grabbed by the company's creditors.

Four companies - British Aerospace plc, France's Aerospatiale, South Korea's Samsung Aerospace Industries and Canada's Bombardier Inc - have all confirmed they are talking to the stricken company. Yesterday Dutch daily de Volkskrant named the fifth as McDonnell Douglas. Fokker and the US planemaker both declined comment on this report.