AMR Eagle is due to make a final decision on its choice of regional jet by 23 May, after full evaluation of the two contenders, Bombardier's Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) and Embraer's EMB-145. The result is not expected to be made public until the Paris air show.

With fewer than ten days to go, the airline group and both manufacturers were tight-lipped about the competition, which covers AMR's requirement for 67 regional jets. The long-running contest was revived after AMR Eagle ratified its pilot scope clause with American Airlines, allowing the purchase to go ahead. Embraer regional sales manager Charlie Hillis says that the contenders appear to be "neck and neck".

The two aircraft were evaluated at the end of April by AMR at Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, and the presidents of both companies are expected to visit American chairman Robert Crandall around 21 May, to "-put any final cards on the table", says Hillis. Sources close to the competition say that specialists within AMR are divided over the issue. Airline advisors are said to favour the CRJ's relative sophistication and large-airliner features, whereas some AMR Eagle specialists prefer the EMB-145. Industry sources suggest that Crandall is leaning towards the Brazilians mainly on cost grounds.

Bombardier's optimism was rekindled, however, on 13 May, when a planned flight of its demonstrator to the Regional Aircraft Association exhibition static park at Reno, Nevada, was cancelled and the aircraft was instead flown at the last minute to Dallas Fort-Worth for another inspection.

The Canadian manufacturer has been stressing its stable financial and manufacturing position during the contest, as well as some technical advantages, such as the CRJ's Mach 0.8 cruise speed against the M0.78 of the EMB-145.

Embraer concedes the higher speed of the CRJ, but says that the issue is a moot point over most of the routes which would be flown within the AMR system. It also claims significant direct operating- cost benefits, ranging from "-between 7% and 13% depending on how you figure it", says Hillis. "We absolutely kill them on the shorter routes," he adds.

Competition sources add, however, that AMR is disappointed with some interior features of the EMB-145, such as the seat-back tables. In response, Embraer is believed to be offering the aircraft uncompleted, with a significant cost reduction. Hillis says only that "-we have given 110% to this competition. We can't do better".

Source: Flight International