Bombardier has formally launched a 90-seat variant of its Canadair Regional Jet, but the future of the proposed BRJ-X 100 remains a subject of speculation.

The Canadian manufacturer said a projected market for at least 800 larger regional jets over the next decade drove the decision to go ahead with the CRJ900, which is a derivative of the 70-seat CRJ700. The ­700 is in certification flight testing and is making its public debut here at Farnborough.

Stretching the 70-seat CRJ700 is to cost around C$200 million, far less than creating a clean sheet design, said Bombardier CEO Robert Brown. The strategy should allow Bombardier to beat rivals Embraer and Fairchild to the marketplace with a 90-seater.

"We'll be two years ahead of the competition," Brown said Monday. "The derivative nature of the program reduces risk, and we've been proceeding step by step. The CRJ900 will not affect production rates of other CRJ types."

Bombardier is targeting Europe's regional airlines for the CRJ900, since scope clause agreements are likely to limit the use of large-capacity RJs in the U.S. market for the foreseeable future. The CRJ900 launch orders reflect this focus. French regional Brit Air placed four firm orders and took four options, and Tyrolean signed a letter of agreement for up to 12 CRJ900s. Air Nostrum signed an LOA for eight, and GE Capital Aviation Services ordered 10 as part of its recent RJ buying spree.

First CRJ900 deliveries are planned for the fourth quarter of 2002. The aircraft's list price is $29 million.

As for the BRJ-X 100, Bombardier is taking a "wait and see" approach.

"We see 90- and 100-seat regional jets as two separate markets," said Michael Graff, president of Bombardier Aerospace. "We're going to continue to look at the 100-seat market, but now plan to focus on the 90-seater and make a decision (on the 100) when it is appropriate."

By Paul Richfield