US planemaker Beechcraft put up for sale again

[NEW YORK] Beechcraft Corp, the US planemaker that emerged from bankruptcy protection this year, is for sale again, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Credit Suisse Group is contacting potential suitors on their interest in acquiring Beechcraft, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. Beechcraft may fetch about US$1.5 billion, another person said. Cessna Aircraft parent Textron Inc is among companies exploring a bid, said two of the people.

Slumping demand for private jets and curbs on US defence spending led the company, formerly known as Hawker Beechcraft, to file for bankruptcy in May 2012. Negotiations to sell it for US$1.79 billion to a Chinese buyer collapsed months later. Beechcraft exited court protection in February and has publicly said it's selling some assets to focus on propeller-driven and military planes.