Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Embraer is briefing airlines on a proposed new 86-seat stretch development of the ERJ- 170 regional jet that would serve to close the gap between baseline 70-seater and larger ERJ-190 derivatives and provide the Brazilian design with greater flexibility to compete against the Fairchild Dornier 728JET and Bombardier CRJ900 series aircraft.
The ERJ-170-200 would incorporate a fuselage stretched by approximately 1.78m (70in) in length compared to the 29.9m long ERJ-170, sufficient to add another two four-seat rows to the aircraft, according to industry sources. Unlike the larger 98-seat ERJ-190-100 and 108-seat -200, the new version would retain the ERJ-170's existing main wing.
In a single-class configuration the new ERJ-170-200 variant would be able to seat up to 86 passengers in a 31in pitch, the same as the CRJ900 but with an extra lavatory. The baseline ERJ-170-100 currently in development is designed to accommodate 70 passengers in a 32in seat pitch layout, compared to CRJ700's 70-seat 31in pitch. The two Canadian jets have a narrower four abreast fuselage cross section.
The other main driver behind the stretch is the 728JET, which can accommodate 75 seats in a 33in pitch by virtue of its wider five-abreast cabin. The Fairchild aircraft also has the advantage of a larger four abreast business class, whereas the ERJ-170 is restricted to three abreast resulting in up to seven fewer seats in mixed configuration. The ERJ-170-200 aircraft could be configured to seat 78 passengers in a 32in pitch.
It is estimated that the addition of fuselages plugs will add around 1,000kg to the ERJ-170's basic operating weight of 20,150kg, but what impact this will have on the aircraft's field performance is unclear. A key performance parameter specified by launch customer Crossair was for the ERJ 170 to be able to operate in and out of London City Airport.
The ERJ-170-200 is currently targeted at the British Airways and Qantas combined requirement for a fleet of new regional aircraft to equip their respective regional operators. BA has not specified a need for the new aircraft to operate from London City, but instead is focused on seat mile costs. Crossair, Regional Airlines and leasing company GECAS have only ordered the ERJ-170, but will be watching closely the impact a ERJ-170-200 will have on residual values, suggest observers.
Embraer, in the meantime, has reached a new agreement with Kawasaki to produce the wing for the ERJ-190. The Japanese manufacturer already supplies the wingbox, leading and trailing edges for the smaller ERJ-170 wing. Embraer has offered Kawasaki a larger work package in return for undertaking final assembly of the wing in Brazil.
Source: Flight International
