Bolstered by the recent JetBlue Embraer 190 order and a stronger-than-expected regional jet market, General Electric now expects the CF34 orderbook for 2003 to exceed 650 engines, while current production levels indicate deliveries of over 500 CF34s by year-end.
The surge comes on top of earlier company forecasts that, as recently as the start of June, predicted year-end sales of around 500 engines. The revised prediction means the 2003 tally may almost be triple the 2001 order figure, and be the highest single-year result since the programme started in 1992.
Despite the slowdown in 50- seater deliveries, increasing production of the higher-thrust -8C, -8C5 and -8E versions for 70- to 90-seat class aircraft is offsetting the softer -3A1/-3B1 market, with a total of more than 450 engines expected to be delivered in 2004. GE says around 2,200 CF34s are used to power in-service regional jets and Challenger corporate aircraft. By 2005, it expects more than 2,500 CF34s will power 50- to 90-seat regional jets.
Source: Flight International
