For an aircraft that started off as an 8-passenger executive jet, the Canadair Challenger business jet has done very well. Using essentially the same fuselage cross section it has been stretched and stretched, first as a 50-seat, then 70-seat, 90-seat and now 100-seat passenger aircraft.
Previously designated the CRJ900X jet, the CRJ1000 regional airliner is designed specifically to meet the needs of growing regional airlines for jets of up to 100 seats, with a focus on extremely low operating costs and improvements to cabin comfort.
"We anticipated the need for larger regional aircraft when we introduced the CRJ700 regional jet in 1997 and the CRJ900 regional jet in 2000. These aircraft are now the backbones of many airline fleets worldwide," said Bombardier Aerospace president and chief operating officer Pierre Beaudoin. "Today, with the CRJ1000 aircraft, Bombardier continues to build on its ongoing commitment to product innovation. The CRJ1000 regional jet combines the proven platform, reliability and flexible cabin configurations of its predecessors with its closest competitor having up to 15% higher trip cash operating costs."
The CRJ1000 aircraft programme is launched with 38 commitments, 15 of which are CRJ900 conversions, and 23 conditional orders and options. Brit Air of Morlaix, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air France, has placed a firm order for eight CRJ1000 aircraft, and has taken options on a further eight. My Way Airlines of Italy is converting 15 of its 19 CRJ900 regional jet orders to CRJ1000 regional jets. There is a further undisclosed customer who has placed a firm order for 15 of the aircraft.
The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2009. First flight is scheduled for the summer of 2008. With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 91,800 pounds (41,632 kilograms), the CRJ1000 aircraft will offer a maximum range of 1,691 nautical miles (3,139 km) with 100 passengers, under certain operating conditions. Compared with older generation aircraft of similar passenger capacity currently in operation, the CRJ1000 will also respond to today's environmental needs by providing substantially lower fuel consumption and achieving up to 30% reduced carbon dioxide engine emissions.