Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Bombardier plans to move ahead with the BRJ-X large regional jet as early as mid-year. The company is also set to make a launch decision by the end of the month for the proposed CRJ900 stretch of the Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ).
Bombardier says there is "no overlap" between the planned 86-seat CRJ900 and the all new 108-115-seat BRJ-X. An impending decision to proceed with the former will not affect the later decision to launch the larger aircraft.
The Canadian company's official BRJ-X programme timetable calls for a launch decision in the fourth quarter of this year. It is understood from a number of preferred system suppliers, however, that efforts are under way to accelerate this and launch the baseline aircraft around July, coinciding with the Farnborough air show.
Current planning calls for the first aircraft to fly in early 2003 and enter airline service in the third quarter of the following year.
There is believed to be a push to drop the R from the BRJ's designation, reflecting a shift in emphasis away from traditional regional carriers towards mainline operators looking to replace their entry level fleets of Boeing 737-200s, McDonnell Douglas DC-9s and Fokker 100s.
Bombardier acknowledges that cost will be the critical factor in overcoming Airbus and Boeing's incumbent advantage in the market of offering aircraft with family commonality. "Pricing for this aircraft will be decided by operating economics," says Trung Ngo, Bombardier vice-president regional aircraft marketing.
The CRJ900, by contrast, is being promoted within Bombardier's market stronghold, notably carriers such as Comair that operate the 50-seat CRJ200.
If the company's goal of launching the CRJ900 by the end of March is approved, a first flight is set for around 12 months later and initial delivery by the end of 2002.
Trung says: "This is not a programme affected by technical challenges, it's very 'doable'. Efforts are focused on lining up launch customers. We're very hopeful of meeting the timetable laid out."
Source: Flight International
