Canadian manufacturer resists pressure for now to dust down 100- to 110-seat file despite success of rival Embraer 190
Bombardier could revisit its 2000 decision to shelve the BRJ-X 100- to 110-seat airliner in 18 to 24 months, says new chief executive Paul Tellier. For now, the Canadian company is comfortable with the competitiveness of its 70/90-seat CRJ700/900 despite the recent successes of the 98- to 108-seat Embraer 190.
"We will not reopen the file on going beyond 86 seats, but we never say never," says Tellier. Since taking over as chief executive in January, he has shifted the Canadian company's emphasis from rapid growth to increasing profitability and strengthening the balance sheet. "In 18-24 months we may revisit the decision [on the BRJ-X], but at this time we are satisfied with our line of products." Certification of an all-new aircraft would take five years, making it available around the end of the decade.
Bombardier Regional Aircraft president Steve Ridolfi says certification of the stretched CRJ900 earlier this year gives the company greater flexibility, citing the CRJ705 version ordered by US Airways. Due for certification later this year, the aircraft is a dual-class, 75-seat version of the CRJ900. Ridolfi expects further customers for the CRJ705, as well as other versions of the CRJ700/900.
If Bombardier was to dust off the BRJ-X design it would likely be updated with more advanced technology to improve its economics, says Ridolfi.
The company will complete its fly-by-wire technology demonstration by year-end, and then be positioned to launch development of an aircraft with digital flight controls, says John Holding, executive vice-president engineering.
While Bombardier Aerospace's engineering workforce has been reduced as part of sweeping workforce cuts and reoriented towards in-service support of aircraft, and derivatives and upgrades of existing platforms, president Pierre Beaudoin says the company retains the core capability to launch development of an all-new aircraft when justified by the market.
So far this year, the company has certificated the stretched CRJ900 and all-new Challenger 300, and begun flight testing the Global 5000 super-large business jet derivative of the Global Express. The Learjet 40 entry-level derivative of the Learjet 45 is about a month away from certification. The company is believed to be looking at upgrading the Challenger 604 large business jet and replacing or updating the mid-size Learjet 60.
Source: Flight International
