Kalitta Air’s cargo airplane crashed during takeoff at Brussels Zaventem Airport on 25 May 2008. As a consequence, the plane broke in three. While crashing on the ground the plane hit approach masts. As the masts were frangible as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization, they broke down causing no further damage to the aircraft. The masts had been provided by Exel, the world’s leading pultrusion company.

Exel has provided frangible masts also for example to London Heathrow Airport (United Kingdom), Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (the Netherlands), Stockholm Arlanda Airport (Sweden), Moscow Vnukovo International Airport (Russia), Mumbai International Airport (India), Singapore Changi Airport, and Atlanta Airport (USA). Altogether Exel’s masts are used in over 300 airports worldwide.

Further information:
Mr. Jaakko Martikainen, Business Development Manager, tel. +358 59 590 6755 or email jaakko.martikainen@exel.fi

Exel is a technology company which designs, manufactures and markets composite profiles and tubes for industrial applications and sports equipment.

The personnel's expertise and high level of technology play a major role in Exel's operations. The core of the operations is based on own, internally developed composite technology, product range based on it and the domination of selected market segments with a strong quality and brand image. The Company's growth is based on permanent search of new applications and development in co-operation with customers. Exel concentrates on niche segments and on profitable growth. Exel’s share is listed in the Small Cap segment of the OMX Exchanges/Helsinki Nordic list.