Andrzej Jeziorski/MUNICH
Fairchild Dornier is in advanced talks with US regional airline Comair which could lead to a launch order for the 42/44-seat 428JET.
The manufacturer confirms that negotiations cover a potential order for 30-40 aircraft, but it does not expect to be ready to make any conclusive announcement within the next couple of weeks.
The Cincinnati-based Delta Connection carrier originally enquired about the smaller 30-seat 328JET, but according to Fairchild Dornier managing director Thomas Brandt, it became clear that Comair needed something bigger. The airline operates 62 Bombardier Canadair Regional Jets and 29 Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops.
Fairchild Dornier says no other 428JET talks are as far advanced as those with Comair. However, negotiations are under way with existing 328 turboprop operator PSA Airlines of Vandalia, Ohio, on a mix of 328JETs and 428JETs.
The 428JET is a stretched version of the 328JET, with a 4m fuselage plug and a scaled-up 328 wing. It is fitted with the more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308 turbofans.
Fairchild Dornier says the aircraft's definition phase is complete and detailed design is under way. Certificationand first deliveries are due in the first half of 2001.
Meanwhile, Brandt says a reassessment of the larger 728JET has led to the choice of a slightly narrower fuselage than planned. At five abreast, it will now have a diameter of 3.25m, down 150mm.
The decision has divided the two key potential launch customers for the aircraft, Lufthansa CityLine and Crossair, which are both interested in 60 aircraft, with a further 60 options. According to Brandt, Lufthansa is happy with this fuselage diameter, while Crossair initially wanted a wider cross-section.
Brandt says Fairchild Dornier carried out a survey of its 10 most significant potential customers and found that the diameter was acceptable. However, after the recent decision in favour of the General Electric CF34-8D powerplant for the aircraft, which Crossair considered to be underpowered, this is the second design issue which has gone against the Swiss carrier's wishes.
Crossair director of engineering Phillipp Raichen says: "Fuselage diameter becomes an issue if we cannot give our passengers the comfort we are looking for. But after talking to Fairchild Dornier, we found the proposal still gives us superior comfort compared with many widebodied aircraft."
Raichen says some design issues remain on the 728JET which must be resolved before Crossair commits to it, the most important being that of payload/range.
Source: Flight International
