By Mary Kirby in Dallas
With interest growing in a stretched version of the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 from US regional operators, the Canadian manufacturer is trying to assess “the incremental size” increase required to meet airlines’ needs.
The timing for a stretched Q400 regional turboprop, as well as the manufacturer’s planned CRJ900X regional jet stretch, is still “very much” based on defining the product with launch customers, said Bombardier’s vice-president marketing and communications Trung Ngo at last week’s Regional Airline Association’s annual convention in Dallas, Texas. It is “clear there is an interest” in a larger turboprop, said Ngo. The Q400 can seat 78 passengers.
Hawaii’s Island Air flies Dash 8-100s and is adding three Q400s. “To get an extra five or 10 seats in there would be huge,” says Island chief executive Robert Mauracher.
Horizon Air parent Alaska Air Group is also considering larger turboprops for its regional subsidiary. “As we study the 90- to 100-seat space, we are obligated to look at every tool out there to fill the gap,” says Horizon president Jeff Pinneo.
Source: Flight International
