Bombardier and Embraer spar over 50-seater replacement

Bombardier and Embraer have differing views on how to replace the aging 50-seat regional jet fleet around the world. Bombardier launched the CRJ550, a re-certified variant of the CRJ700 with 50 seats to allow for the addition of a premium product, as a replacement in February, while Embraer insists that the marketplace needs a new technology aircraft. "The CRJ550 is the 50-seater replacement," said Ross Mitchell, vice-president of commercial operations at Bombardier, touting the flexibility of the CRJ family at the ISTAT Americas conference in Orlando on 12 March. The Canadian airframer launched the CRJ550 with United, whose regional partner GoJet Airlines will initially operate 50 of the aircraft for the Chicago-based carrier. The aircraft will be configured with 10 first class, 20 extra-legroom economy and 20 economy seats. Scott Kirby, president of United, said earlier in March that the economics Bombardier laid out to the airline work. While unit costs for the aircraft will be higher than for 50-seat regional jets, the unit revenue increase will be greater, he said. "I was a sceptic… but turns out [Bombardier] could make the economics work," said Kirby. Embraer, however, views the CRJ500 as a temporary solution to the 50-seat jet replacement problem. "It can be a temporary fix for pre-owned aircraft," said Rodrigo Silva e Souza, VP of marketing at Embraer Commercial Aircraft, at ISTAT Americas. "As a definitive solution for the 50-seaters, we believe it must be a new technology, a new development."<br/>