TROUBLED Dutch aircraft maker Fokker NV has made no comment on a newspaper report that another potential suitor could be emerging from the Far East, in the form of Chinese aerospace company Avic.

De Telegraaf newspaper said Aviation Industries of China (Avic) was sending a team to Amsterdam to hold talks with the heavily loss making Fokker.

"We have no comment until Avic confirms it themselves," said Fokker spokesman Mr John Widen, adding that Avic was not among the group of companies that had previously expressed an interest.

Samsung Aerospace Industries of Korea was left as the main contender to save Fokker after Canada's Bombardier said on Tuesday it was no longer interested. Shorts in Belfast supplies wing sets to Fokker and 1,500 people have been placed on protective notice in Shorts due to the crisis at the Dutch company.

Daimler Benz last month cut Fokker's cash lifeline, forcing the company to seek protection from creditors. The Dutch state provided an emergency credit but that money is fast running out.

A Samsung delegation went home last week after looking at the books and Fokker expects to hear its decision this week.