Fokker Services sees the Middle East as being a prime market for its newly launched corporate conversion of the Fokker 100 twinjet. The company expects to deliver its first conversion by the end of 2004, after the decision to launch a modification programme for the aircraft.
Dubbed the Future 100 Executive Jet (F100EJ), the concept has been under evaluation as part of efforts by Fokker and its parent Stork to boost the appeal of the 100-seater as the idle fleet soared as major operators such as American Airlines, TAM and US Airways withdrew their aircraft (Flight International, 11-17 February).
Fokker Services is proposing corporate and VIP configurations for between 17 and 40 passengers along with auxiliary fuel tanks to boost range to 6,000km (3,200nm). The company says this would enable the F100EJ to carry 10 passengers non-stop between New York and Shannon, or London and Riyadh.
"There is a replacement market for 125 corporate Chapter 2 aircraft such as BAC One-Elevens and Boeing 727s," says Fokker Services manager business development Peter Van Oostrum. He adds that while North America represents the biggest replacement market, the greatest interest in the conversion so far has come from Europe and the Middle East.
Van Oostrum puts the price of the converted aircraft at around €10-12 million ($12-14 million) depending on configuration, which he says is comparable to a young secondhand Bombardier Challenger.
Source: Flight International
