Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Australian flag carrier, Qantas Airways Ltd. has placed a firm order for seven Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The aircraft will be operated by Qantas’ wholly owned regional airline, QantasLink.



Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen aircraft, the contract is valued at approximately $218 million US.

This order will increase to 28 the number of Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners operated by QantasLink. The airline also operates two Bombardier Dash 8-200, three Q200 and 16 Q300 aircraft.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said the Q400 aircraft had become the flagship of QantasLink’s regional fleet.

“Qantas has invested over A$600 million in 21 Bombardier Q400 aircraft over the last four years,” he said.

“The aircraft really suits QantasLink’s operations and is extremely popular with the airlines customers.”

“We have therefore made the decision to acquire another seven aircraft for delivery from the first half of 2011. These new aircraft are next-generation Q400 aircraft with upgraded cabin interiors and larger overhead compartments.”

“Qantas has deployed the Q400 and Q400 NextGen the way its designers intended,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “These aircraft have replaced or complemented jet services, replaced smaller and older turboprops, reached out to new markets and extended the range beyond typical turboprop distances, and all this with the most comfortable and most cost-competitive aircraft in its class.”

Optimized for short-haul operations, the 70- to 80-seat Q400 NextGen aircraft is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient turboprop. It provides a perfect balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint. Including the order from Qantas announced today, Bombardier has booked firm orders for a total of 385 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft and as of April 30, 2010, 300 had been delivered.

Bombardier press release July 21, 2010 — Farnborough, U.K.

Deliveries to ensue successively in first half 2011

Lufthansa has ordered eight brand-new regional jets following prior endorsement of the order placement by the Supervisory Board. The Bombardier CRJ900* NextGen* jets are destined for service with Lufthansa Regional. Delivery of the new aircraft will take place in the first half 2011.

The CRJ900 NextGen jet is noted for impressive fuel efficiency, as well as low emission and noise levels, and consumes less than four litres of kerosene per passenger over 100 kilometres. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the CRJ900 NextGen jet also comes with new seats which provide improved comfort for passengers by allowing for increased legroom. The Lufthansa configuration accommodates up to 86 passengers in aisle or window seats; there are no central seats. The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft is 36.2 metres long with a wingspan of 24.8 metres, and its maximum cruise speed is 880 km/h at a maximum altitude of 12,500 metres. The jet can serve destinations within a range of up to 2,000 kilometres.

* CRJ900 and NextGen are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries

Lufthansa press release 02.07.10

Bombardier and Fokker Services Team Up to Develop Enhanced Support Services for Dash 8/Q100/200/300 Aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fokker Services to jointly develop logistics support solutions for the Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft models through Fokker’s comprehensive ABACUS program.

Fokker Services is part of Fokker Aerospace Group, which develops and produces advanced components and systems for the aerospace industry and supplies integrated maintenance services and products to aircraft owners and operators. The ABACUS program offers guaranteed availability of serviceable components, and flight hour-based component repair and overhaul services. It allows Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft operators to better manage their life-cycle costs, improve parts availability and enhance aircraft dispatch availability

“Fokker Services is a leader in Q100/200/300 aircraft support and we are highly confident in their ability to support us in providing comprehensive solutions to operators of Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft and to work alongside us to increase the longevity of these turboprops,” said James Hoblyn, President, Customer Services & Specialized and Amphibious Aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace. “We believe the ABACUS program will mark the beginning of a mutally beneficial relationship with Fokker Services to extend the services available to our Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft customers.”

“The ABACUS cost-by-the-hour program has been assisting legacy Fokker operators of post-production models to manage their inventory, repair and overhaul costs for 17 years, and we are delighted to team up with one of the world’s pre-eminent aircraft manufacturers to offer operators of Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft the same level of cost predictability and parts availability,” said Roland Van Dijk , President, Fokker Services. “Operators of Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft can enroll in the ABACUS program as of today. We already have six Dash 8/Q100/200/300 operators enrolled in the program, and we look forward to working with Bombardier on this exciting opportunity.”

Under the proposed alliance, which is expected to be concluded later this year, Fokker Services will repair serviceable components and ensure parts availability through their large component exchange pool on a cost-by-the-hour basis. The agreement with Fokker Services is one of a number of steps Bombardier is taking to enhance the operational value of Q100/200/300 aircraft since production of these robust and reliable aircraft was discontinued in August 2009. In late 2009, Bombardier launched an Extended Service Program with the objective of extending the economic life of the Q100 to 120,000 flight cycles from the original 80,000 flight cycles and with a view possibly applying the program to the newer Q200 and Q300 aircraft as they approach the 80,000-cycle mark.

Today, there are approximately 600 Dash 8/Q100/200/300 aircraft in operation, and the planned alliance with Fokker Services illustrates Bombardier’s commitment to providing comprehensive parts support for these aircraft for many years to come.

Bombardier press release,June 15, 2010 — Toronto

Fuel-efficient, lower-emission, “comfortably greener” turboprop to complement airline’s large Bombardier fleet

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Jazz Air LP (“Jazz”) of Halifax, Nova Scotia has signed a firm purchase agreement to acquire 15 Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners and has taken options on an additional 15 Q400 NextGen aircraft.



Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately $454 million US and could increase to $937 million US should all 15 options be converted to firm orders.

“The introduction of the Q400 NextGen aircraft is a perfect complement to our fleet of Canadian-built Bombardier turboprops and regional jets,” said Joseph Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jazz Air LP. “This aircraft, which in Jazz configuration will have 74 seats in a single-class cabin, offers superior passenger comfort, fuel efficiency and improved environmental performance. I’m confident that our passengers will appreciate the quiet interior and speed of this new technology.”

Jazz flies to more Canadian destinations than any other carrier, and is the second largest airline in Canada in terms of fleet size and number of routes flown. Jazz is the world’s largest operator of Dash 8/Q-Series aircraft, and forms an integral part of Air Canada’s domestic and Canada-U.S. transborder market presence and strategy. The airline currently operates 64 Bombardier CRJ Series regional jets and 64 Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops.

“We are delighted that Jazz has recognized the capabilities of the Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft for short- and medium-length regional routes,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Since it entered revenue service a decade ago, the Q400 aircraft has raised turboprop service and passenger comfort to an unprecedented level around the world.”

Launched in March 2008, the lower-emission, fuel-efficient, “comfortably greener” Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400 aircraft, and the advanced successor to the Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft. Revised in the same spirit as Bombardier’s CRJ NextGen aircraft family, the Q400 NextGen aircraft features an enhanced cabin environment with the introduction of LED lighting, new ceiling panels, dished window sidewalls and larger overhead luggage bins. These features combined with the Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system provide an excellent cabin experience for passengers.

While the operating costs of the Q400 airliner were already among the lowest of any regional aircraft, the operating costs for both the Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners were made even lower by increasing intervals between scheduled maintenance and further optimizing maintenance tasks, therefore reducing labour hours. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners’ Aircraft Operating Manual (AOM) has been updated to reflect that the fuel burn under certain operating conditions is lower than predicted.

Including the order announced today, Bombardier has now booked firm orders for 378 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft and had delivered 288 of the aircraft as of January 31, 2010. These aircraft are now in service with more than 30 airlines and other operators, and the worldwide fleet has logged more than 2.5 million hours and 2.8 million take-off and landing cycles. In addition to their role as regional airliners, Q400 aircraft are also being used in corporate transport and firefighting, and are suitable for an array of non-airline operations.

Bombardier press release, April 30, 2010 — Toronto

Bombardier Q400 NextGen Turboprop Airliner on Demonstration Tour of The Bahamas
Advanced, fuel-efficient airliner ideally suited to the region

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft will today showcase its Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner in Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. The fuel-efficient, lower-emission aircraft, which was manufactured in Toronto, Ontario and configured with 76 seats, will be flown on demonstration tours for representatives of the government of The Bahamas, Bahamasair (the national airline), the media and other stakeholders.

“The Bahamas demonstration tour provides an opportunity to showcase one of the world’s most technologically-advanced turboprops,” said Kevin Smith, Vice President, Sales, Americas, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Q400 NextGen aircraft’s operational flexibility, low-cost operation, reduced environmental impact and passenger comfort are ideally suited to the needs of the people of The Bahamas and the neighbouring region.”

Launched in March 2008, the Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400 aircraft and the advanced successor to Bombardier’s Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft. The Q400 NextGen aircraft features an enhanced cabin environment with the introduction of LED lighting, new ceiling panels, dished window sidewalls and larger overhead luggage bins. These features, combined with the Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system, provide an excellent cabin experience for passengers.

While the operating costs of the Q400 airliner were already among the lowest of any regional aircraft, the operating costs for both the Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners have been made even lower by increasing intervals between scheduled maintenance and further optimizing maintenance tasks, therefore reducing labour hours. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners’ Aircraft Operating Manual (AOM) has been updated to reflect that the fuel burn under certain operating conditions is lower than predicted.

External noise on the Q400 NextGen aircraft, as on Bombardier's other regional aircraft products, is well below the maximum permitted by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 16 Ch. 4, and U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 36 Stage 4. Q400 NextGen aircraft also produce low carbon dioxide and other emissions.

Bombardier had booked firm orders for 363 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft and had delivered 288 of the aircraft as of January 31, 2010. Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners are now in service with some 30 airlines and other operators in Africa, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific Region, Europe and the Middle East. The worldwide fleet has logged more than 2.5 million hours and over 2.8 million take-off and landing cycles. In addition to their role as regional airliners, Q400 aircraft are also being used in corporate transport and fire-fighting, and are suitable for an array of missionized operations.

Bombardier press release April 15, 2010 — Toronto