Aero International (Regional)

Aero International (Regional) or AI(R) was a short-lived multi-national consortium intended to merge the businesses of the French-Italian Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft (BAe) (which comprised Avro International Aerospace and Jetstream Aircraft).^[1]^[2]^[3]

AI(R) was launched in 1996 to perform marketing, sales, support and aircraft development of the partners' transport aircraft and to oversee future programs.^[4]

In its first year of operation, AI(R) earned USD1.3b on sales of 38 turboprops and 21 regional jets.^[5]

AI(R)'s product range included the British Aerospace Jetstream 31 and 41, but BAe announced it would cease production in May 1997.^[6] The proposed Jetstream 61, an improved British Aerospace ATP, was cancelled because it overlapped with the already established ATR 72.

AI(R)'s AIRJET project studied a new 70-seat regional jet for two years developed from the ATR-42,^[7] before deciding not to proceed in December 1997, after BAe decided it would not make a major investment in the project.^[8]^[9]

In 1997 another plan to build a 100-seat jet with Asian partner companies was transferred to Airbus Industrie.^[10]

The organization disbanded in July 1998, with ATR and British Aerospace regaining full independence.^[11]^[12]^[13]

References

^ Aero International (Regional)
^ International Directory of Company Histories, vol. 24, St James Press, p. 88
^ Domenico Ferreri (2003), "Characteristics of the Civil Aeronautical Industry", Marketing and management in the high-technology sector, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 139, ISBN 978-1-56700-524-0
^ Ross Tieman, Industrial Correspondent (1995-06-07), "BAe joins regional aircraft venture.", Times [London, England]
^ Charles Goldsmith (1997-02-06), "AIR Says Revenue Totaled $1.3 Billion in Initial Year", The Wall Street Journal
^ "British Aerospace Jetstream 41".
^ Richard Payne (2004). Stuck on the ground: Unbuilt British Commercial Aircraft Since 1945. Tempus. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-7524-3172-7.
^ Charles Goldsmith (1997-12-11), "European Consortium Decides Not to Build Regional Jetliner", The Wall Street Journal
^ Peder A Andersen (1998-11-01). "The Changing Structure of the Global Large Civil Aircraft Industry and Market: Implications for the Competitiveness of the U.S. Industry". p. 3-25. SSRN 1452731.
^ "AIR plane still on course", The Independent, March 1998
^ Avro RJ85 / BAe 146
^ "Split-up of the Aero International (Regional) consortium appears inevitable". Aviation Week. Informa PLC. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
^ J Paul Hodgson (31 March 2021). Britain's Glorious Aircraft Industry: 100 Years of Success, Setback and Change. Air World. ISBN 978-1-5267-7467-5.

[1] Aero International (Regional)

[2] International Directory of Company Histories, vol. 24, St James Press, p. 88

[3] Domenico Ferreri (2003), "Characteristics of the Civil Aeronautical Industry", Marketing and management in the high-technology sector, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 139, ISBN 978-1-56700-524-0

[4] Ross Tieman, Industrial Correspondent (1995-06-07), "BAe joins regional aircraft venture.", Times [London, England]

[5] Charles Goldsmith (1997-02-06), "AIR Says Revenue Totaled $1.3 Billion in Initial Year", The Wall Street Journal

[6] "British Aerospace Jetstream 41".

[7] Richard Payne (2004). Stuck on the ground: Unbuilt British Commercial Aircraft Since 1945. Tempus. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-7524-3172-7.

[8] Charles Goldsmith (1997-12-11), "European Consortium Decides Not to Build Regional Jetliner", The Wall Street Journal

[9] Peder A Andersen (1998-11-01). "The Changing Structure of the Global Large Civil Aircraft Industry and Market: Implications for the Competitiveness of the U.S. Industry". p. 3-25. SSRN 1452731.

[10] "AIR plane still on course", The Independent, March 1998

[11] Avro RJ85 / BAe 146

[12] "Split-up of the Aero International (Regional) consortium appears inevitable". Aviation Week. Informa PLC. Retrieved 2022-09-21.

[13] J Paul Hodgson (31 March 2021). Britain's Glorious Aircraft Industry: 100 Years of Success, Setback and Change. Air World. ISBN 978-1-5267-7467-5.