GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
Boeing says its proposed 717-300 derivative is still a contender for Lufthansa's 100-seat-plus requirement, despite the selection of both Bombardier and Embraer regional aircraft by fellow Star Alliance member Air Canada in its hard-fought fleet-renewal contest last month.
Boeing says the Air Canada decision, and the way the airline is expected to configure its CRJ700 and Embraer 190s, "indicates they have made a strategic decision for aircraft below the 717-200 passenger size. We recognise the complexity of Air Canada's decision and the fact that several key non-airplane factors also played a role in the final decision," it adds. "The 717 has more customer orders than any other aircraft in its class, and there are currently more than 120 717s in revenue service today. We look forward to working with Lufthansa and other Star Alliance members, as well as airlines worldwide as they pursue fleet decisions in the 100-seat market."
Source: Flight International
