Long-standing efforts to revive the Fokker 100 regional jet could get a boost from a €20 million ($27 million) loan offered by the Dutch government toward the $120 million, Phase 1 cost of upgrading the original prototype airframe as a proof-of-concept demonstrator with new engines and avionics, additional fuel capacity and winglets. If the Dutch assistance wins approval from European authorities, the holder of the production rights–NG Aircraft (
formerly called Rekkof)–could launch the “XF100” project by mid-year, perhaps at July’s Farnborough International Airshow. A second phase of development to establish series production would require a further $675 million, according to NG director Jaap Rosen Jacobson. He told AIN the plan to assemble an updated, new-build “F100” in the Netherlands has drawn “substantial” interest from potential airline operators.
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