Airbus Heralds The A318; Its New 100-Seater By Rebecca Rayko, Associate Editor Farnborough, England - Despite having a higher price and heavier weight than its Boeing counterpart, the Airbus A318's efficiency and other cost saving attributes make it the better 100-seater, Airbus says. With a list price around $3 million higher than the Boeing 717-200, the latest derivative of the A320 family expects to capitalize on the capabilities of its wing for improved operating efficiencies over its rival. Airbus says it expects to dominate more than half the market of the 100-seat aircraft, which the European manufacturing consortium estimates to be around 1,000 aircraft, with the A318. Airbus hinges much of its competitive success with its new 100-seater on the capabilities of its wing, which the European manufacturer says makes the A318 6% more efficient than the Boeing 737-600 and 28% more than the 717-200. Operating costs will be 4% less with the A318 compared with the 737-600, and trip costs 10% less. The wing was also the answer when asked about charges that the A318 will incur higher landing fees because of its heavier weight. "As long as we have a more efficient wing, heaviness wonąt show up in the overall operating costs," Airbus chairman Noel Forgeard said. The A318 is two feet wider than its rivals, but "bigger in terms of capabilities," Airbus says. The A318 will be equipped with the same wing as the A320, A319 and A321 aircraft but have average seat configuration of 107 seats. Airbus said it can be configured to 94 seats and still be profitable, but it cannot go below the 90 seat threshold and remain so. The A318 is similar to the A319 with three rows removed from behind the wing and the equivalent of 1.5 rows in front removed in order for the airplane to keep the same clearance form the nacelle to the cargo door. Overall it is 94 inches smaller than the A319. The size of the cargo door is also reduced which limits its ability to carry containerized cargo like the A319 and A320, but Airbus says this attribute isnąt needed by this market segment. The A318 will also have a dorsal fin. Airbus expects to sell more of the optional version of the A318 than the basic model. The basic A318 has a 1,500 nautical mile range and 59 metric ton MTOW, while the option model has an extended 2,000 nautical mile range and a 61.5 ton MTOW. The Pratt & Whitney PW6000 powerplant will supply up to 23,000 lbs. thrust. Airbus currently produces 22 aircraft a month in its A320 family on its two production lines. Airbus says the A318 will most likely be built at its Hamburg facilities, but could eventually be split between Hamburg and Toulouse. The A318 wll be launched officially at the end of the year. Its first flight is scheduled for 2001, and its entry into service is scheduled for the first half of 2002.