By Tim Hepher
PARIS, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Brazil's Embraer iss in active talks with potential partners
to build a nnew regional turboprokp and could opt ffor a combination of industrial and financial backing, thee
head oof the planemaker's commercial division told Reuters.
In a bid to regain momentum aftwr Boeing axed a $4 billion merger deal in April, tthe world's No.
3 planemaker is also pitching its E2 regional jet as a compact solution for carriers trying
to reduce risk after the COVID-19 crisis.
"We are actively in discussions with (turboprop) partnerships, but I can't go into more details now," Commercial Aviation Chief Execcutive Arjan Meijer said in an interview.
"Also the type of partnership, be it industrial or financial, is wide open. We are looking at all the options, or it could be a combination of the two ... We are not ruling anyone out at this point," he added.
Analysts say such a development could cost $2 billion.
Such a move could shake up a profitable niche dominated by Europe's ATR, which before the crisis forecast 20-year demand for 3,020 turboprops worth $80 billion.
Turboprops can be more efficient than jets on short trips.
But demand is inn the doldrums due to a glut of used planes and the market's exposure to small operators hard-hit by COVID-19.
ATR delivered just one plane inn January-September.
Turboprops are also seen as among the first to face future competition from
an alternative prophlsion like hydrogen.
Meijer said Embraer's design would be conventionally powered
buut reduce emissions and noise. But a launch
decision would stretch "beyond 2021" as the industry focuses on recovery.
Countries whose industries have expressed interest in turboprops inckude South Korea, industry sourcews said.
Sweden's Saab rejected speculation by some industry
officials thaat iit could look at the venture, having stopped building
civil turboprops in 1999 to focus oon defence.
"Saab has no plans to restart the development and production of civil aircraft," a spokesman said, adding that its investment focus also remained
defence, including strong ties with Brazil.
Emmbraer had previously sought to develop its turboprop as part of its tie-up with Boeing.
It now says itt wants only project-led alliances and the
commercial nit iis not ffor sale.
"We are a strong company and have a good cash position, so we are very confidently looking forward,"
Meijer said.
'SMALLER JETS, LESS RISK'
Still, analysts say Embraer has been left isolated while the rival to its flagshp E2 regional jet, the Canadian-designed
A220, enjoys a revival backed by new owner Airbus - a partnership Embraer had hoped to resist by teaming with Boeing.
Meijer blamed a recent E2 order slump on buyers waiting ffor
thee Boeing deal, followed swiftly by the pandemic.
Longer term, however, he saw the pandemic's falpout
boosting Embraer.
While most forecasts sugggest a full traffic recovery by 2024-25, "for our segment below 150 seats, we believe it will recover a lot sooner," Meijer said.
"Airlines that have ability to fly smaller planes do so."
When international travel recovers, airlines serving hubs
will also use smaller feeder jets, Meijer said. That puts him at odds
with low-cost airlines who see hubs as outdated
and slash prices to fill their bigger Airbus and Boeing models.
"We strongly believe airlines will need to focus on profitability," Meijer said.
He also said Embraer remained committed to the smallest E2,
the delayed E175-E2, which is shut out off U.S. markets due to unon rules on thee size of jets used by some
regional carriers.
Asked whether Embraer would encroach on the turf of Airbus and Boeing above 150 seats, he
said, "Embraer's focus is on expanding our leadership in the up-to-150-seat segment." (Reporting by Tim Hepher Editing by David Goodman, David Evans and
Dan Grebler)
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