According to chief executive Paul Tellier, Bombardier is looking at a 110- to 115-seat aircraft as the first member in a family of three airliners covering the 100- to 130-seat range being studied under its New Commercial Aircraft (NCA) programme. He says the company will decide whether to launch the programme before the end of its financial year on 31 January 2005, after spending C$18 million ($13 million) this year on the feasibility study. About a third of the NCA development costs would be borne by Bombardier, he says. The company says 115-135 seats is the core segment of the 100- to 150-seat market being studied, with a five-abreast layout "under consideration" and replacement of the Boeing MD-80 as a key target market. Bombardier will take the wraps off the NCA at the Farnborough air show in July.
Source: Flight International
