Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
HORIZON AIR of Seattle, Washington, has placed orders and options, worth potentially more than $750 million, for up to 70 de Havilland Dash 8-200/300 turboprops. The huge deal, which includes firm orders for 25 Dash 8s, spells the end of Horizon's Fairchild Dornier 328 fleet, which will be disposed of by the second quarter of 1998.
The airline operates 23 Dash 8-100s, which will be retained "through delivery of its first 25 aircraft", says Bombardier Regional Aircraft division.
Horizon says: "From the first delivery of the Dash 8-200 in the first quarter of 1997 through to mid-1998, we will have a transition period where we will have more than one type of turboprop in the fleet. But, basically, within 16-18 months we will get rid of the others, which include 15 Metro IIIs and 12 Dornier 328s." Horizon has plans to continue flying its 13-strong fleet of Fokker F28 Mk1000s.
The decision is a huge blow to Dornier, which had been selected to supply up to 60 aircraft to Horizon, including 40 options. The first 12 had been delivered and the final eight on firm order are still expected to be handed over this year.
Several factors are believed to have contributed to Dornier's failure. These include continued indecision by Daimler-Benz Aerospace (which recently sold Dornier to Fairchild) over a previous commitment to stretch the 30-seat Dornier 328 to a 50-seater, made in the original contract with Horizon. The US carrier is also believed to have been disappointed over the level of product support and a slow response to aircraft-on-ground incidents. Bombardier is also understood to have "-offered a sweet deal" to Horizon, according to one airline source. Dornier declines to comment.
George Bagley, Horizon president and chief executive, says: "The selection of the Dash 8 Series 200/300 reflects our decision to consolidate Horizon's turboprop fleet within one family of products. We expect even greater success and economies in operations and maintenance as we simplify our fleet."
The firm order for the first 25 Dash 8s is worth $270 million, but is expected to increase if Horizon takes up a further 15 "conditional" aircraft and another 30 on option. The airline has the right to convert orders and options for the 37-seat -200 to the larger, 50-seat -300 "with a relatively short notice period", says Bombardier.
In all, some 432 Dash 8s have been delivered and outstanding firm orders number 81. Further options take the total Dash 8 programme to 620 aircraft.
Source: Flight International
