Boeing says it has no firm plans yet for developing a family of jets to join its 100-seat 717, preferring first to prove to itself that it can sell the existing aircraft.
Joseph Ozimek, Boeing's director of product marketing, says a recent tour of Europe has shown that there is "high interest" in the 717 - the former McDonnell Douglas MD-95 - and people are "-clearly wondering" what Boeing is going to do about developing a family of jets around it.
"It is fair to characterise this by saying we have no firm plans," he says.
But Ozimek adds that if a family is developed, it will probably consist of an 80-seater 717-100 and a 120-seat 717-300.
First flight of the 717 is scheduled for June. Air Tran Airways of the US is launch customer.
Boeing seems to be pitching the 717 as much against regional jets as against its true competitor, the Airbus A319.
Ozimek says seats will be 2in (5cm) wider than those in a regional jet, while cabin storage volume will be far greater.
The idea of Boeing effectively entering the regional market with a 717 family is worrying to regional jet manufacturers.
Jules Rondepierre, Embraer's senior vice-president of commercial sales, says the company continues to evaluate the idea of a 70-seater, but acknowledges that this market now seems "-very crowded". Bombardier is developing a 70-seater and Fairchild Dornier is also considering the idea.
Source: Flight Daily News
