Boeing plans to meet airlines and "partners" in Rome next week to present options for potential future 717X regional jet derivatives as the market continues to push for smaller, rather than larger, family members.
Although doubtful of achieving sufficiently low operating costs with the smaller derivatives, Boeing says it is responding to airline pressure to perform studies. These have boiled down to two 'shrinks' of the baseline 717-200, an 85-seat -100X or a 75 seat -100X Lite.
Studies of the newly christened -100X Lite began in early 2000, sparked by unexpected enquiries from large and regional carriers and Boeing has begun detailed regional market studies. Unlike the baseline -100X derivative, which would be powered by Rolls-Royce BR715s, the -100X Lite would use less powerful BR710s.
News of the Rome meeting emerged at FIDAE where the 717-200 was demonstrated as part of a six-country Latin American tour. The demonstration aircraft is then destined to be delivered to Impulse Airlines of Australia. Impulse plans to take up to five aircraft. Boeing also hinted at impending new sales to a European carrier and two airlines in China. The European order is thought to be from Palma de Mallorca-based AB Bluestar, which it is close to signing orders up to 15 aircraft (Flight International, 28 March - 3 April). Thai regional Bangkok Airways is also believed to be finalising a deal.
As part of its push to boost sales by cutting landing fees and navigation costs, Boeing is also lowering the optional maximum take off weight (MTOW) from 51,760kg (114,000lb) to 49,940kg. "We can do this without sacrificing range, because in flight tests we had 8% lower fuel burn than expected and we were 2,000lb lighter" it says. The overall effect creates a 2,040kg saving, though the MTOW is being lowered by 1,820kg to preserve a 230kg reserve.
Source: Flight International
