Bombardier Launches Fuel Efficient Jet
by Jesse Fox, Tel Aviv, Israel on 07.19.08
The Bombardier CSeries: Marketed as a "green jet" (image from Wikipedia).
Life hasn't been easy for the airlines lately. As fuel prices wreak havoc with the industry's bottom line, carriers have responded by dumping older, less efficient jets, lowering flying speeds and carrying less weight - not to mention charging for checked bags.
This week, however, the airlines got a bit of good news when Canadian conglomerate Bombardier announced its intention to release the CSeries in 2013, a passenger jet which it claims will use 20% less fuel than its nearest competitor.
Aviation Industry Responds to High Fuel Prices
While the jet will be marketed as the "greenest" model on the market, the real attraction for the airline industry is the cash that they will save on fuel expenses. According to analyst Jacques Kavafian, the CSeries can be expected to save airlines up to $3 million over a Boeing 737, and even more over older models.
According to Bombardier, German airline Lufthansa has already expressed interest in buying up several of the jets. Carrying between 110 and 130 passengers, the cost of a CSeries plane will be approximately $46.7 million.
There are signs that other aircraft manufacturers are also getting the message. James McNerney, CEO of Bombardier's American competitor Boeing, told the French press last week that the rising cost of fuel will raise demand in the future for more fuel efficient airplanes.
Too Little, Too Late for the Airlines?
However, by the time the CSeries hits the market, the industry might look quite different. According to the International Air Transport Association, the crisis in the industry has already caused 25 airlines to go bankrupt during the first half of 2008, and industry bigwigs are preparing themselves for more casualties, including, according to Virgin Atlantic CEO, "one of the big American carriers." And, adding to the pressure on the airline industry, the EU intends to begin regulating emissions from airlines in 2012.
Via:: Agence France-Presse
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I believe you meant 'wreak,' not reek.
I'm wondering if they will be able to sell them. The airlines are out of money as it is. I wonder if they'll even be able to finance their development and construction.
It's easy to say that your aircraft uses 20% less fuel than the nearest competitor. Just compare them in different conditions. Make yours fly higher with less speed than the competitor and you'll have a better aircraft. I'm pretty sure this was the method used by Bombardier to state this and we are buying that!
The fuel efficiency benefits come from lightweight composite structure and the Pratt and Whitney Geared Turbofan engines. In the size range of the C-Series, that does in fact make them the most efficient. It remains to be seen if it is efficient enough for the dying airlines.
To contrast, the Bombardier Q400 turboprop might have more of a future, particularly if the fuselage is redone with composites.
Composites require a lot of energy to manufacture, and it's not clear whether they are as durable as aluminum. However, I applaud any attempt (especially since it may mean a technology trickle-down to autos, etc.) and even IF the plane is more carbon-intensive to manufacture, it it saves a lot fuel, that's a net savings.
Some of the airline companies are doing pretty well with orders. Cessna has quite the backlog of orders.
Fuel Efficient Jet.
Oxymoron?
If airlines want an efficient, then they've to see the Aircraft's Payload/Range. If the aircraft's range and payload is higher, than its more efficient. Also, try to change those old aircrafts, like DC-9, Boeing 737-200. It's noisy and non Eco-friendly for nowadays.