Alan Peaford
Bombardier is taking on the 90-seat regional jet market.
At Farnborough yesterday the Canadian firm revealed its new 90-seat BRJ-X. The aircraft will have five-abreast seating, which will allow the series to range from 80 to 110 passengers.
Laurent Beaudoin, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer's chairman and chief executive, says the decision heralds Bombardier's entry into a new market niche.
Forecasts from Airbus and Boeing show an increase in demand for mainline aircraft and this, Beaudoin says, will lead to increased demands on the regional feeder carriers.
Bombardier will be continuing its risk-sharing partnership approach with the BRJ-X and will be looking to determine a powerplant partner as its first priority.
Beaudoin estimates development costs as being close to C$1billion ($600million) - similar to that for its Global Express - and will be looking to partners to shoulder more than half of the costs.
The firm anticipates a demand for some 2,500 aircraft over the next 20 years.
The announcement will be a wake-up call to Fairchild Dornier, which also has plans for a similar 90-seat jet and now has to compete with the larger manufacturer.
Even Boeing has not ruled out an option of configuring its 717 to take in this potentially lucrative market, although here are sceptics who doubt the market exists.
Bombardier argues that its tried and tested partnership approach will meet the need for fast certification. It expects to spend a year in pre-launch discussions selecting partners and suppliers and agreeing the design. John Holding, Bombardier's technical head, says he is confident that certification would be completed in three years with delivery to the launch customer in 2003.
Source: Flight Daily News
