Crossair of Switzerland is evaluating Fairchild Dornier's proposed 728JET family to meet its requirements for a new fleet of regional jets in the 55-90 seat range, which could see it place a $1.2 billion launch order for up to 60 aircraft.
Lufthansa and subsidiary Lufthansa Cityline are also discussing an order of similar magnitude with the US/German manufacturer, but talks are at an early stage, with the three airlines involved in early definition of the aircraft, its performance and cabin configuration.
Crossair, which was interested in the now defunct Aero International (Regional)'s Airjet regional jet family, is known to have a pressing requirement for a 70-seat aircraft and is evaluating the proposed 70- seat 728JET. In the longer term, the airline will require a 50-seater to replace Saab 2000s and, later, a 90-seater which could replace its Avro RJ85 and RJ100 fleet. Fairchild Dornier is planning suitable derivatives of the 728JET - called the 528JET and 928JET.
"We have given Fairchild Dornier our figures. Now they need to tell us how they intend to come up with an acceptable aircraft," says executive vice-president Fritz Grotz.
Grotz has rejected the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet, which has a four abreast cabin, as being "too narrow", preferring Fairchild Dornier's proposed five-abreast 3.3m-diameter cross section, which is more in line with the comfort standards of the Avro RJ, he says. He adds that Crossair has "no interest" in the Rekkof Restart attempt to relaunch the Fokker 70 and 100.
Negotiations are likely to continue all year, says Grotz, with a successful outcome leading to a memorandum of understanding at the end of 1998 "at the earliest". Industry sources suggest that a decision is not likely until at least mid-1999. The first aircraft would be delivered in 2002, concurrent with phase out of the oldest Saab 2000s, with the larger version likely to be delivered around 2004.
Source: Flight International
