Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
Fairchild Aerospace and ATR partners Aerospatiale and Alenia have failed to resolve the main obstacles to their possible collaboration on a family of regional jets. Talks continue in an effort to find a compromise.
While differences remain over the location of final assembly lines, engines and shareholdings in any joint venture, ATR has revised regional jet studies to focus on a three-aircraft family almost identical to Fairchild's 728JET concept.
Fairchild and ATR decline to comment, but industry sources suggest Fairchild's negotiating position could be significantly strengthened if Lufthansa's supervisory board decides to commit to the 728JET programme this month. The German flag carrier, which needs aircraft for its CityLine commuter operation, is also studying an offer of additional Canadair Regional Jet Series 700s from Bombardier, say the sources.
The other prospective 728JET launch customer, Crossair of Switzerland, says it is "encouraging" Fairchild to pursue the project alone, but has privately told the company it will walk away from any deal if ATR becomes involved.
ATR is also holding talks with Embraer of Brazil, which plans to enter the 70/90-seat market, but the European joint venture has not ruled out pursuing its Airjet project alone if it fails to find a partner.
The long-favoured rear-engined configuration of the Airjet has been dropped in favour of wing-mounted powerplants, although ATR prefers the Snecma/Pratt & Whitney Canada SPW14. Fairchild has selected the General Electric CF34-8D for the 728JET. The two manufacturers are agreed on a five-abreast cabin.
The 70/75-seat Airjet 200 would be available for delivery from the second half of 2003, while the shortened Airjet 100, with 60 seats, would follow in 2004. The final member, the stretched Airjet 300 with 90-95 seats, would be available about 18 months later.
Fairchild plans to deliver the first 70-seat 728JET in mid-2002, followed by the 55-seat 528JETand 98-seat 928JET. Lufthansa has signed a letter of intent for 60 aircraft, plus 60 options, while Crossair could place a similar number of orders and up to 100 options.
Source: Flight International
