Embraer says it would be able to ramp-up production of the ERJ-145 family from 12 aircraft a month to as many as 20 within six months, as the Brazilian manufacturer prepares to do battle with Bombardier for the last major US regional jet order from US Airways.
Available delivery slots and financing should be key to the US Airways campaign. Both are in short supply, however, in the wake of 11 September, with Embraer having cut back from a peak of 18 a month as banks curtail lease financing. Bombardier has expanded production for large orders from United Express and Delta Connection operators, but is behind with deliveries after last month's strike at its Montreal plants.
Prior to September, Embraer raised output to 20 aircraft a month. Aircraft cycle time increased from 4.5 to five months following the production cutbacks, but improved productivity will cut the cycle time to four months by the end of the year, says Embraer chief executive Mauricio Botelho.
For every additional aircraft per month, the company needs to add 150-200 production staff, but Embraer is hesitant to hire new staff for what may be a short peak in output. Included in the production rate is one ERJ-135-based Legacy business aircraft per month, which the company wants to increase to two.
US Airways has won scope clause relief for another 70 regional jets, operated either by its wholly owned carriers, none of which currently have jets, or independent partner operators, such Mesa, Chautauqua and Trans States - all of which fly ERJ-145s. Airlines have indicated they would want deliveries before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, to reduce the build-up in the CRJ order backlog, Bombardier will deliver almost 230 regional aircraft this year. The company is the only manufacturer planning to increase commercial aircraft deliveries this year, having delivered 206 aircraft in 2001 and 157 in 2000. Of the total 2002 quota - an 11% surge on last year - around 200 will be CRJs, and the balance Dash 8 Q series turboprops.
Source: Flight International
