The intention of the project was to produce an aircraft that was smaller, lighter, and more economical than its three-engine American rivals, the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.
A intención do proxecto era producir un avión que fose máis pequenso, lixeiro e económico que os seus rivais estadounidenses trimotores, o McDonnell Douglas DC-10 e o Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.