BOEING HAS JOINED with Bombardier and Japan Aircraft Development (JADC) to launch a series of studies into developing a 90- to 110-seat aircraft to compete with Europe and China.
The US manufacturer is understood to be conducting three parallel studies into possible development of new or derivative regional aircraft. Initial cost studies are expected to last until July.
One option under consideration is an international collaborative venture involving Bombardier and JADC. Industry sources say that it would incorporate existing technology, such as Mitsubishi's new supercritical wing, developed for the Bombardier Global Express.
"We are definitely evaluating the market for a 100-seater with many potential partners," says Boeing. Bombardier and JADC so far decline to comment.
An alternative all-Boeing study is understood to focus on a cheaper, more cost-effective, variant of the existing 737 to fill the 100-seat market. At least five different engines are being examined.
Boeing's new studies follow its recent admission that it is likely to lose to Europe in the race to join China's proposed AE-100 regional-jet programme (Flight International, 8-14 May, P3). Aero International (Regional) has led the bid, but suggests that the programme would be run by Airbus Industrie.
China wants to integrate its planned 90- to 140-seat development into the Airbus family and is seeking cockpit commonality with the A320. The prospect of Airbus offering a single-family aircraft from 90 through to 375 seats is viewed with concern by Boeing.
Boeing had been discussing collaboration with JADC on its own proposed 100-seat YS-X development, but in 1995 it dropped Japan in favour of possible tie-ups with China and South Korea.
Japan has established a close working relationship with Bombardier, contributing to the Global Express and the de Havilland Dash 8-400. Mitsubishi is also discussing taking a stake in Bombardier's yet-to-be launched 76-seat CRJ-X.
Source: Flight International
