Should Bombardier Build A Larger Jet?

Editor's Note: Regional Aviation News today begins a new opinion feature. We want to know what you think about issues that impact the regional aviation community. For this new feature, we will select subscribers and other industry professionals to give their thoughts on topical questions of the day. If you...

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Editor's Note: Regional Aviation News today begins a new opinion feature. We want to know what you think about issues that impact the regional aviation community. For this new feature, we will select subscribers and other industry professionals to give their thoughts on topical questions of the day. If you have questions, suggestions or want to get into the que to answer future Roundtable questions, please contact the editor, Tom Smith, at tsmith@accessintel.com.

Bombardier later this month will decide whether it should build a new jetliner that can carry 110- to 135-passengers. It will not be based on the CRJ series, but a new design. From your vantage point, is there enough of a market for a plane this size, that Bombardier should move ahead with the project? Do you see the regionals or the major networks buying this aircraft?

Gregory P. Melang
President
SkyQuest International LLC
(336) 722-1616; Greg@SkyQuestInternational.com

"Given the success to date in the 50-70 passenger seat market and the ever increasing demand for larger point-to-point service aircraft, and the requirement for reliable and efficient jet aircraft, I would be a strong advocate for the 110-135 seat aircraft. I see a demand from both the regionals and majors alike. Look at the success that Embraer has had to date with the EMB-170 and EMB-190 'whole new design' approach. Bombardier would be a natural to take a leadership position in this market segment."

Jim Bluhm
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
(612) 667-9023; jamesa.bluhm@wellsfargo.com

"I do think that Bombardier will have a very tough time catching up with Embraer in this segment, though. I wonder if both...manufacturers will lose to their competition if they don't consider joining forces for economies of scale?"