MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON
Orders look healthy for year so far, while output is on the upturn as Bombardier increases CRJ production
A surge in regional jet sales towards the end of the first half of this year has boosted the order tally for the first six months of 2003, to double that for the whole of last year. Output is also up on last year's first half, but this growth has been entirely driven by Bombardier as Embraer's production contracted.
The two companies secured 168 net orders in the first half (H1) of 2003, with Embraer taking the bulk with 123 sales. This compares with just 48 net orders for regional jets in H1 2002, and a gross total of 86 for the full 12 months. Last year, regional jet net orders were negative at -121 due to the cancellation of the Fairchild 728 programme.
The Brazilian company's tally includes the landmark 100-aircraft Embraer 190 order from JetBlue and the US Airways deal that was shared with its Canadian rival.
Bombardier's half-year net tally of 45 sales includes US Airways orders for 25 of the new CRJ700 Series 705 variant, which is based on the CRJ900 platform, but these have since been converted to standard CRJ700s following the dispute with the pilots' unions (Flight International, 15-21 July).
Regional jet output rose by 17% over the first half of 2002, to 162 aircraft. Embraer's output fell almost 20% to 47 compared with a year ago, but Bombardier's production surged by 40% as shipments across the entire CRJ range increased.
The regional jet order backlog increased slightly to 803 units, with Embraer holding the advantage with 56% of the total.
The turboprop market remains difficult, with ATR and Bombardier's combined half-year net sales totalling just eight aircraft. Bombardier had the better of the situation, taking 11 net orders for its Dash 8 Q Series. These included a net gain of one Q200 and 17 Q400s for the loss of seven orders for the smaller Q300.
ATR signed two new orders in H1 2003 but these were completely wiped out as Khalifa Airways' five cancellations resulted in a deficit in net orders of three units. The European manufacturer remains confident that it can reach its target of 20 sales for the year.
With 15 new turboprops delivered, the two companies' combined backlog has declined 13% to 46 units, with Bombardier holding around two thirds of the orders.
Source: Flight International
