Gentlemen...
as interesting as the 'possibilities' may be, as regards ACs rationalization of Regional Jets, having just read the Pilot Report in Flight International on the "fly-by-wire" EM170, I find myself rubbing my chin in wonder?
Having scrapped the BRJ-X could well turn out to be a bit of a clanger on the part of BA and could well translate into significant orders for EM.
Hmmm.....
This aircraft clearly isn't what you'd traditionally call a regional jet. It IS an airliner on the order of the jr. 737/A318 but at a much more reasonable price. $37,000,000 I believe it was.
As for Star Alliance, yes they are looking at the CRJ....
but they're also looking at Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer.
Perhaps there are possibilities for AC but I'm not convinced they will still be operating Jan 1/04. They've decided to park 40 aircraft and judging by their pissing contest with lessors over what they will pay for leased aircraft, it may all go pear shaped very shortly and they could well find themselves with less than 100 aeroplanes in the fleet.
Just how does a low cost carrier operate internationally??? I'm afraid West Jet doesn't provide us with a reliable answer on that one.
BTW (My apology in advance to sensitivities at AC over that remark)
Let's wait and see?
Good luck to AC just the same
The only Embraers I've seen around YUL are two Brasilias intended for use between Buttonville and Dorval. Nice paint job (Royal Blue and Lime Green) but I don't think they've done so much as a circuit????
Willie
