China's aircraft manufacturers are reworking plans to develop a smaller regional jet than the cancelled AE31X.
Hong Kong sources say the manufacturing companies of Harbin, Xian, Shaanxi and Shanghai, with Shanghai Aircraft Research Institute and Xian Design and Research Institute, have agreed on 58/ 78-seater versions of a regional jet that could enter service within five years. Western-built engines would be used and a partner sought to help develop and market the aircraft.
The venture reportedly has the support of Aviation Industries of China which is still disappointed that the 100-seater Asian Express AE31X project was shelved by Airbus Industrie in September.
Since then, both Airbus and Boeing have floated prospects of more parts subcontracts in China, with the emphasis on building wings for the Airbus A320 and Boeing 717. Both are still possible but AVIC is looking for a bigger role.
This new consortium appears to be a re-worked version of a proposal floated last August. At that time the Xian, Harbin and Shaanxi manufacturing plants announced they were setting up a joint venture to build an aircraft similar to Bombardier's 70-seat Canadian Regional Jet. The three manufacturers planned a 1999 launch with service entry in 2004. The new consortium plans the same timetable.
Source: Airline Business
