'Mid-Market' Aircraft Would Fall Between Single Aisle And Wide Body Airplanes

Boeing is reportedly looking into the feasibility of creating a new airplane class that would fall between its current single aisle and wide body aircraft, but Randy Tinseth (pictured), Boeing's corporate VP for marketing, said that the idea faces several hurdles.

The online news site Bidnessetc.com reports that Tinseth floated the idea at the International Society of Transport Trading (ISTAT) Americas air financing conference. He said that the "mid-market" aircraft would fill a demand for airplanes that would seat fewer passengers but be capable of traveling long distances. Tinseth said that Boeing's options are to design a clean-sheet airplane, modify an existing design to fit the category, or scrap the idea entirely.

The largest hurdle to clear would be design and development costs, Tinseth said, adding that it would be challenging to make a market case for the new airplane.

Also to be determined would be where the new airplane would be built so as to not affect current production, which is ramping up to meet demand for its existing products.

At the same conference, Tinseth said that Boeing has shelved plans to resurrect the 757, which went out of production in 2003.

Airbus, meanwhile, does not seem to be interested in a "mid-market" concept. The planemaker believes that its existing A321 fills that niche without having to develop a new airplane.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.boeing.com