Fairchild Aerospace claims there is increasing airline interest in a further growth development of the 928JET, as it steps up efforts to launch the 90-seater and outlines plans to overcome a six- month delay in deliveries of the smaller 728JET and 428JET.
"We've been pleasantly surprised by the level of interest in the 928JET. Carriers interested in the aircraft also want to know if there is a growth in the 928JET to satisfy market projections," says Barry Ecclestone, executive vice-president sales and marketing.
He adds that no decision has been taken on adding a third family member, which Fairchild chief executive Charles Pieper refers to as the "XXX" aircraft. The choice is between a 50-seat 528JET or a further stretch to 120 seats, which had earlier been tentatively designated the 1128JET.
Fairchild's new $1.2 billion refinancing package includes $200 million to develop the 90-seat derivative and a further $200 million for the XXX. The 928JET's enlarged wing provides scope for further growth, while its 18,500lb-thrust (80kN) CF34-10D has the potential to go to 20,000lb thrust, says Frank Klaus, General Electric's general manager of small commercial engines.
Ecclestone identifies four target markets for the 928JET, of which the European regional airlines, aircraft leasing companies and smaller US national carriers show the most near-term potential. US and European major airlines are also looking at the jet, but none is yet close to a decision, he adds.
Fairchild in the meantime is working to accelerate production of the 728JET to offset a six-month delay in deliveries to launch customer Lufthansa CityLine. The first aircraft will be delivered in November 2002. Thereafter production will ramp up faster from an initial one to two jets per month.
"Lufthansa needs to have eight aircraft in time for the spring 2003 schedule," says Ecclestone. Previously unallocated production slots have been eliminated, pushing back the next available delivery positions to June 2003. The company plans to deliver forty-one 728JETS and thirty 44-seat 428JETS by the end of 2003.
Delivery of the first 428JET to launch customer Atlantic Coast Airlines has been delayed to February 2003. This is the result of "ruthless accounting" by Fairchild's new owner Clayton Dubilier & Rice and the discovery that "some suppliers had not been as thorough as they should have been on the first go-around," says Ecclestone.
Source: Flight International
