Julian Moxon/HANOVER
Embraer president Mauricio Botelho has played down expectations of a quick decision on the launch of a 70-seat regional jet by the Brazilian airframe builder, believing that market conditions in the USA and Asia do not warrant a speedy move.
Speaking at the European Regions Airlines Association meeting in Hanover on 23-25 September, Botelho said the launch of a 70-seater will have to wait until the US market, which accounts for 60% of the global regional aircraft market, is less driven by the scope clause, which for most airlines draws a line between the salaries of pilots flying aircraft of fewer than 70 seats. He added that the financial crisis in Asia, coupled with the fact that the European market is not strong enough, "-do not support a near-term launch decision".
The Brazilian manufacturer continues to talk with several rivals, including ATR, about co-operation in launching a 70/80-seat regional jet. Now, however, he appears to be widening the search to include a longer-term arrangement which could see further consolidation in the regional jet market. Botelho says that a strategic alliance with another manufacturer is "mandatory in this business", but that it must be on the basis that there is "no domination" by either partner.
Meanwhile, ATR says it is considering launching a regional jet family based around an 80-seat five-abreast configuration capable of being stretched, rather than around the 70-seat four-abreast aircraft it had been promoting. A launch decision is targeted by year-end.
Rekkof has again postponed a decision on restarting production of the Fokker 70 and 100 regional jets. The promised 24 September launch date has not been met "-because our investors are still carrying out an economic analysis of the turmoil in the global monetary market", it says.
France's Regional Airlines has ordered five Embraer RJ-135s and five more RJ-145s.
Source: Flight International
