Stretched 717 the star in Boeing alliance proposal

ANDREW DOYLE / MADRID

Regional twinjet family competing for members' combined 100-aircraft requirement

Boeing is offering to start deliveries of its proposed 717-300X simple stretch in the second quarter of 2006 if the regional twinjet family is selected to meet a pending Star Alliance requirement for 100 or more aircraft.

Meanwhile, having shelved studies of the -100X shrink variant on economic grounds, the US manufacturer says it is open to discussing the idea of including a limited number of reduced capacity 717-200 "Lite" versions as part of a larger deal for standard -200s and/or larger -300Xs. The -200 Lite would be structurally identical to the basic -200 but accommodate as few as 84 passengers - or four fewer seat rows - in two classes and be priced to reflect the lower seating capacity.

Star Alliance members Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) are pursuing a joint purchase of commonly specified regional jets. They have asked Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer for proposals covering 100 aircraft seating between 70 and 110passengers. Some or all of the carriers are expected to conclude orders by early next year.

"We are prepared to deliver a -200 Lite as long as it's economically feasible," says 717 sales director Terrence McGaughan.

The -300Xwould add five seat rows to the standard 106-seat -200, increasing capacity to around 130 passengers, and offer a range of just below 3,000km (1,600nm).

"We're not changing any systems. It's an efficient stretch from the manufacturing point of view," says McGaughan, who says it would take "30-32 months from contract signature to deliver the first -300X".

The carriers have been studying the in-service performance of the four 717-200s operated by Aerolineas de Baleares (AeBal), the Palma de Mallorca-based regional sister carrier of majority SAS-owned alliance member Spanair.

AeBal chief executive José Jaume says the airline expects to decide on exercising some or all of its 16 outstanding 717 options in 2004. Also in the running for the Star order are the Airbus A318, Bombardier CRJ700/900 and Embraer 170/190.

Source: Flight International