Short- to medium-haul twinjets are now competing in a crowded playing field and Airbus and Boeing no longer reign supreme. The duopoly, to the surprise of no one, is drawing to a close. We all knew China, Russia and, down the road, other new entrants would seemingly come out of nowhere. And this sea change is even more dramatic in terms of regional jets. The path is littered with failed attempts. Paramount among these are Fokker's demise, Fairchild Dornier's bankruptcy, Saab's decision to fold Saab Aircraft, and ATR's revised strategy of focusing on twin turboprops, canceling its proposed ATR 82. All were convinced there would be no room for so many competitors. And the market agreed it would have to live with another duopoly-Bombardier versus Embraer.
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