Fairchild Dornier claims to be in serious discussion with three South American carriers looking at the planned new 728/928JET regional jet as part of their fleet replacement programmes, following a month long sales and demonstration tour of the region by the smaller 328JET.
The tour included demonstrations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico and Venezuela. The company, as well as demonstrating the hot and high performance of the 328JET, used the aircraft to drum up interest in its new 70-to 98-seat regional jet family as a prospective Boeing 737, Fokker 100 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 replacement.
"There are three major groups engaged in talks on the 728/928JET and at least five carriers evaluating fleet plans and so the tour timing was good," says Bart Harrington, Fairchild sales director Latin American and Caribbean.
Among the larger requirements is a planned Cintra collective buy for as many as 60 regional jets with which to re-equip its subsidiary carriers Mexicana, Aeromexico, Aerocaribe and Aerolitoral. The company is expected to produce a shortlist of contenders but this and a planned buy of larger narrow bodied jets awaits resolution of the dispute over Cintra's ownership structure.
Chilean carrier Avant has a requirement for a small number of regional jets and has asked Fairchild to submit a 728/928JET proposal, according to Huber Sher, Fairchild Latin America director. The company is also looking at the Boeing 717 to replace its ageing 737-200s.
In Brazil TAM is evaluating a potential replacement for its fleet of more than 40 Fokker 100s with range and hot-and high performance a key parameter.
Source: Flight International
