In 1985, Israel Aircraft Industries introduced the midsize transcontinental Astra. With a moderately swept low-wing design and new airframe design, this aircraft was faster than its predecessor – The Westwind. Five years later they announced an improved model with aerodynamic wing and zero flap takeoffs that increased IFR range at no cost to payload capacity or cabin comfort; then in 1994 Gulfstream acquired it and renamed it G100 .
In 1995 Boeing also entered into competition for regional jets when McDonnell Douglas merged with them while Lockheed had been designing their own plane: L1011 series called Elysium which became successful as well due to economy of scale by being able to carry 300 passengers versus competitors carrying only 200+ seats per flight