Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
Irish lessor Pembroke Capital is negotiating a large follow-on order for Boeing 717s and hopes to conclude a deal by the end of next month. Boeing has failed to secure an order for the regional twinjet this year.
Pembroke chief executive Shane Cooke says his company has a requirement for about 15 additional 717s, but the order "could be for more than that". Pembroke already has firm commitments for 10 aircraft - six for delivery next year and four in 2001 - plus 10 options. Two have been placed with Axon of Greece.
The leasing company is also in talks with Boeing about increasing its orders for Next Generation 737s and possibly acquiring larger 757s for the first time. "We are in talks with Boeing on lots of potential programmes," says Cooke.
Pembroke is 50% owned by Rolls-Royce and its BMW R-R joint venture with Germany's BMW, which is the exclusive powerplant supplier for the 717 with its BR715 turbofan.
Cooke says Pembroke's marketing efforts with its 717 portfolio have convinced the company that there is significant airline demand for the 100-seater.
UK flag carrier British Airways is expected to decide soon between the 717 and Airbus A318 for its short-haul needs and Pembroke could supply aircraft to it as part of Boeing's bid, although Cooke says the Irish company is not directly involved in the negotiations.
Source: Flight International
