regional jets to rise

Aviation

Demand for “smaller” regional jets to rise

AIRCRAFT maker, Boe ing, is predicting increased demand for

regional jets rather

than bigger airplanes.

The company’s 1999 Current Mar ket Outlook includes a significantly larger forecast for regional jets than in the past. The 1998 fleet of 1,230 regional jets is projected to increase to 3,020 jets in 2008.

Demand for mid-size airplanes, it says, was growing the fastest.

“Intermediate-size airplanes will be the fastest-growing segment of the commercial airplane market for two reasons. First, some mid-size types are now capable of serving long-range intercontinental markets that once were restricted to long-range 7475.

Second, airlines can take advantage of lower operating economics for the

intermediate-size airplanes to replace

older 7475.” Boeing says.

Over the next 10 years, the share of intermediate-size passenger airplanes is projected to increase from 19 pet

capacity constraints,” Boeing says.

Airlines are projected to require approximately 80 airplanes of this size category toward the end of the first 10 years of the forecast. The requirement for a larger airplane is expected to become more significant during the second decade of the fore cast period.

In the United States, small region al jets with less than 70 seats are cur rently transforming commuter affili ates from small market feeders into full strategic partners. US regional airlines are operating small regional jets on new nonstop flights.

They are serving to extend the geographic reach of major airline hubs, augment larger jet operations in off-peak hours, replace major air line larger jets on thin routes, and substitute for prop flights.

Boeing says that such applica tions of regional jets were leading to continued market fragmentation in the US domestic markets.

“They are also allowing airlines to provide additional frequencies for business travelers at off-peak times

of day.

“Consequently, these new ser

vices are carrying a high proportion

of business travelers, which enhance yields and profitability,” it says. ■

cent to 21 per cent of the world fleet. A total of 1,940 deliveries in this size cat egory are forecast over the 10-year

period.

Boeing say however, that the requirement for 747 size airplanes remains strong.

The large-airplane category includes the 747 and any future air plane larger than the current 747-400.

“Currently, this fleet numbers 1,020 all-passenger, combi, and freighter 7475. Over the next 10 years, airlines are projected to take delivery of 350 airplanes in this category,” the compa ny says.

But one area where demand is small is for larger than 747-400 size air planes.

“Air travel growth in a few high density markets continues to point to a future requirement for a small number of airplanes larger than the 747-400.

“The timing of this requirement is dependent on traffic growth rates in these key markets, the pace of market liberalisation, and the extent of airport