Bombardier News

Bombardier Expands Business Aviation Training Network for Global 5000 and Global 6000 Aircraft Operators

RwandAir Places Firm Order for Dual-Class Bombardier Q400 NextGen Airliner​

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Flexjet and Jet Art Princess Create One-of-a-Kind Art Pieces Using $11 Million Learjet "Paintbrush"​

Flexjet, one of the world’s most exclusive private jet services companies, has partnered with the famed Jet Art Group to create distinctive artworks in celebration of Learjet’s 50th anniversary. On April 30 and May 1, 2013, at Signature Flight Support in West Palm Beach, artist Princess Tarinan von Anhalt will harness the power of Flexjet’s Learjet 45 XR engine to replace the traditional paintbrush. “Fifty years ago, Bill Lear created a new category of business aviation, one focused on performance, elegance and, most notably, speed,” said Deanna White, President, Flexjet. “Today, in partnership with Jet Art Group, Flexjet is celebrating Bill’s innovative and adventuresome spirit by harnessing the power of his legendary work of art to create one-of-a-kind pieces to mark this golden anniversary.”

To create the masterpieces, von Anhalt hurls paint into a force of approximately seven tons – several times greater than hurricane winds – while standing 50 feet between the aircraft and the canvas. The heat and velocity dispensed from the Learjet aircraft’s engine blends and welds the paint onto the canvas, resulting in unusual abstract paintings. There are a number of factors von Anhalt must consider for success: wind, temperature, heat, the right thickness of the paint itself and exact timing.

“The blast from a Learjet aircraft engine creates the most amazing texture and structure, which simply cannot be achieved by a brush or a palette knife,” said Princess Tarinan von Anhalt, Jet Art artist. “To create Jet Art, I need exceptional control and manipulation of the aircraft, which would not be possible without collaboration with Flexjet’s highly skilled aviation specialists and technicians. It’s been an honor to work with them, and the resulting artwork speaks for itself.” Since 1981, Jet Art’s works have been credited with bringing Jackson Pollock's concept into the Jet Age and have been sold to collectors for sums in the six figures. Flexjet will donate one of the creations to Auction Napa Valley to help the organization raise funds for the healthcare, youth service and affordable housing non-profit organizations it supports.

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Bombardier Expands Maintenance Capacity for Commercial Aircraft at its Largest Service Centre in Tucson, Arizona

Bombardier Expands Technical Training Agreement with FlightPath International for CRJ Series Regional Jets

Bombardier Announces Q1 results

Revenues of $4.3 billion, compared to $3.5 billion last fiscal year EBIT before special items(1) of $240 million, or 5.5% of revenues, compared to $188 million, or 5.4%, last fiscal year EBIT of $240 million, or 5.5% of revenues, compared to $211 million, or 6.1%, last fiscal year Adjusted net income(1) of $156 million, compared to $150 million last fiscal year Adjusted earnings per share(1) of $0.08, same as last fiscal year Free cash flow usage(1) of $590 million, compared to a usage of $695 million last fiscal year Available short-term capital resources of $5.1 billion including cash and cash equivalents of $3.7 billion as at March 31, 2013, compared to $4.0 billion and $2.6 billion respectively, as at December 31, 2012 Backlog of $63.0 billion as at March 31, 2013, compared to $64.9 billion as at December 31, 2012 Issuance of $2 billion of unsecured Senior Notes (1) See Caution regarding Non-GAAP measures at the end of this press release. Bombardier today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. Revenues totalled $4.3 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to $3.5 billion for the same period last fiscal year.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2013, earnings before financing expense, financing income and income taxes (EBIT) before special items totalled $240 million, or 5.5% of revenues, compared to $188 million, or 5.4%, for the same period last year. On an adjusted basis, net income amounted to $156 million, or earnings per share (EPS) of $0.08, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to $150 million, or EPS of $0.08, for the same period the previous year.

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, free cash flow usage (cash flows from operating activities less net additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) totalled $590 million, compared to a usage of $695 million for the same period the previous year. Available short-term capital resources of $5.1 billion include cash and cash equivalents of $3.7 billion as at March 31, 2013, compared to $4.0 billion and $2.6 billion respectively as at December 31, 2012. The overall backlog reached $63.0 billion as at March 31, 2013, compared to $64.9 billion as at December 31, 2012.

“We had a good first quarter, with an overall increase in revenues of 25%,” said Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. “Aerospace is showing increased deliveries, revenues and EBIT, and the CSeries tests are progressing well with first flight next month.” “Transportation also saw an increase in revenues and EBIT, and received a good level of new orders across all divisions and key markets, totalling $2 billion. We expect an increase in revenues over the course of the year, while making good progress towards the group’s EBIT target of 8% by 2014. With our strong overall backlog of $63 billion and state-of-the-art products coming into service in the next few years, we’re very well positioned for solid future growth,” concluded Mr. Beaudoin.

Bombardier Aerospace

Bombardier Aerospace’s revenues amounted to $2.3 billion for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, compared to $1.5 billion for the same period last fiscal year. EBIT before special items totalled $101 million or 4.5% of revenues for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to $66 million, or 4.4%, last fiscal year. Free cash flow usage totalled $461 million (including net additions to property, plant and equipment (PP&E) and intangible assets of $503 million) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to a usage of $572 million (including net additions to PP&E and intangible assets of $372 million) for the same period last fiscal year.

A total of 53 aircraft were delivered during the first quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to 37 for the same period last fiscal year, including 39 business aircraft, compared to 29 for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Bombardier Aerospace signed a purchase agreement with Russia’s Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC) to acquire 32 CS300 aircraft, with options for an additional 10. This agreement is subject to approval by the company’s shareholders and follows a letter of intent signed in 2011. Based on the list price, the conditional order for 32 aircraft is valued at $2.6 billion. Additionally, Danish lessor Nordic Aviation Capital purchased four Q400 NextGen aircraft, bringing its Q400 aircraft fleet to 43.

Subsequent to quarter-end, in April 2013 Porter Airlines was identified as the previously unidentified Americas-based CSeries aircraft customer when it announced the conversion of its letter of intent to a conditional agreement for up to 30 CS100 aircraft. This $2.08 billion-commitment, based on list price, makes Porter Airlines the Canadian CSeries aircraft launch customer. As at March 31, 2013, commitments for the CSeries totalled 388, including 145 firm orders from nine customers in eight countries. Bombardier Aerospace’s backlog totalled $32 billion as at March 31, 2013, compared to $32.9 billion as at December 31, 2012.

Bombardier says that the first production Learjet 75 will be on display at the 2013 EBACE. So look out for that, a Press Release is coming up on this.

Bombardier Boosts Capabilities at its Amsterdam Service Centre through Series of On-site Support Agreements

Flexjet Reports 83 Percent Growth in New Business

Challenger 300 and 350 operators will have new avionics capabilities available to them as Rockwell Collins has upgraded its Pro Line 21 system for these super-midsize jets. Bombardier calls the upgraded system Pro Line 21 Advanced.

Bombardier Targeting Longer Maintenance Check Intervals for CSeries Aircraft Prior to Entry-into-Service

Line maintenance check (“A” Check) at 850 flight hours Base maintenance check (“C” Check) at 8,500 flight hours Bombardier Aerospace announced today at its European Regional Review in Munich, Germany that prior to the airliner’s entry-into-service, it is targeting CSeries aircraft line maintenance checks (“A Checks) at intervals of 850 flight hours and base maintenance checks (“C” Checks) at intervals of 8,500 flight hours.

Bombardier has been developing a Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3)-based maintenance program since October 2010 for the CSeries aircraft. Throughout the design evolution phase, the company has determined that line maintenance and base maintenance task intervals at, or in excess of, 850 and 8,500 flight hours respectively, can be achieved. The proposed maintenance plan will allow operators of CSeries aircraft to benefit from minimized downtime and more competitive maintenance costs, all while ensuring the inherent safety and reliability of the aircraft.

“These proposed intervals will provide our operators with a leading maintenance program for the CSeries aircraft,” said Todd Young, Vice President, Customer Services and Support, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We believe that this offers further evidence of our commitment to provide competitive maintenance cost solutions for CSeries aircraft operators.” The maintenance program for the CSeries aircraft remains under development using the MSG-3 process where analysis for systems, powerplant and structures are reviewed during working groups and approved by the CSeries aircraft Industry Steering Committee (ISC). Bombardier currently has multiple working group and ISC meetings prior to submitting the Maintenance Review Board Report to the Authorities for acceptance, prior to entry-into-service in 2014.

Bombardier Targeting Longer Maintenance Check Intervals for CSeries Aircraft Prior to Entry-into-Service

Line maintenance check (“A” Check) at 850 flight hours Base maintenance check (“C” Check) at 8,500 flight hours Bombardier Aerospace announced today at its European Regional Review in Munich, Germany that prior to the airliner’s entry-into-service, it is targeting CSeries aircraft line maintenance checks (“A Checks) at intervals of 850 flight hours and base maintenance checks (“C” Checks) at intervals of 8,500 flight hours.

Bombardier has been developing a Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3)-based maintenance program since October 2010 for the CSeries aircraft. Throughout the design evolution phase, the company has determined that line maintenance and base maintenance task intervals at, or in excess of, 850 and 8,500 flight hours respectively, can be achieved. The proposed maintenance plan will allow operators of CSeries aircraft to benefit from minimized downtime and more competitive maintenance costs, all while ensuring the inherent safety and reliability of the aircraft.

“These proposed intervals will provide our operators with a leading maintenance program for the CSeries aircraft,” said Todd Young, Vice President, Customer Services and Support, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We believe that this offers further evidence of our commitment to provide competitive maintenance cost solutions for CSeries aircraft operators.” The maintenance program for the CSeries aircraft remains under development using the MSG-3 process where analysis for systems, powerplant and structures are reviewed during working groups and approved by the CSeries aircraft Industry Steering Committee (ISC). Bombardier currently has multiple working group and ISC meetings prior to submitting the Maintenance Review Board Report to the Authorities for acceptance, prior to entry-into-service in 2014.

Bombardier Honours 21 Top Operators and Suppliers for Exceptional Performance

Bombardier said its new CSeries aircraft passed a crucial milestone, completing a series of ground tests prior to obtaining flight certification ahead of its first flight at the end of June. The single-aisle CSeries, the Canadian plane maker's USD$3.4 billion challenge to industry leaders Boeing and Airbus, performed the last of seven Safety of Flight (SOF) tests in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, the company said.

Bombardier's first CS100 is now outside in the open! Good news and it is looking great as well!

A look at WestJet's first Bombardier Q400 Net Gen under construction...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLA8MxU1BJI&feature=youtu.be

and you can see it here outside now...

http://ow.ly/i/2cO60/original

Bombardier said on Sunday its new CSeries passenger jet was in good shape to make its crucial first flight by the end of June as it prepares to unveil orders for the more fuel efficient jet at the Paris air show. The first aircraft, which rolled out of the factory in green primer paint and is now under the control of the flight test crew, is "looking great" for a test sortie this month, Chet Fuller, senior commercial vice president, told reporters.

The countdown coincides with preparations for the first flight of the larger Airbus A350, which could fly before the June 17-23 air show. The CSeries and A350 are both examples of a new generation of carbon-composite passenger jets designed to save weight and allow airlines to burn less fuel, a manufacturing technique first introduced on such a scale by Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. The rare prospect of two maiden flights within weeks of each other has created a buzz in the aviation industry and whetted the appetite of airlines anxious to cut their fuel bills.

Airbus said on Sunday engine tests had started on the A350, a milestone that typically happens one or two weeks before the first flight unless there are last-minute technical problems. Fuller dismissed speculation of a CSeries flight in time for the mid-month event in Paris, saying it would not be dictated by marketing considerations. But he said Bombardier would use the showcase event to unveil a previously undisclosed customer for the 110-seat version of the CSeries and could also add new business.

He also predicted strong sales for that variant in Africa, where he was speaking on the sidelines of the IATA meeting of airline industry leaders in Cape Town. Reuters reported in December 2011 that Bombardier had sold 10 of the aircraft to a start-up airline called Odyssey that intended to start non-stop all-business class flights from London City to New York using the new jets. The airline has previously kept its plans under wraps as it sets up operations in the cut-throat airline business, but looks set to go public at the air show. Bombardier declined to comment. Powered by a new generation of Pratt & Whitney engines, the CSeries prompted Airbus and then Boeing to update their best-selling models with similar engines. Airbus and Boeing have collectively sold over 3,000 of the revamped models. Bombardier has sold 145 CSeries. Fuller said sales of the CSeries had suffered from the industry's worsening reputation for delays in new projects after problems at both Airbus and Boeing but was confident that the first flight and next year's entry to service would give sales a boost.

He said the CS300, the larger of two CSeries models, would be at least 10 percent cheaper per seat and 15 percent cheaper in total flight costs to operate than the Airbus A319neo, a revamped version of the model the CSeries was designed to compete with. Compared with the revamped A320neo he said the CS300 would have 25 percent lower trip costs and offer similar costs per seat, give or take 2 percent.

(Reuters)

The Bombardier CSeries is almost ready to fly, the CS100 that is. A six-week battery of critical software tests that began in late March revealed no devils in the fray. The machinists in the company's final assembly plant outside Montreal handed over the first CS100 to the flight test team in mid-May 2013.

Bombardier Discloses Gulf Air as Airline Customer for 10 CSeries Aircraft and Options for Another Six

Russia's Ilyushin Finance Co. Firms Purchase Agreement for up to 42 Bombardier CSeries Aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that its purchase agreement with Moscow-based leasing company Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC) has been approved by IFC’s shareholders and is now firm. The firm purchase agreement covers the acquisition of 32 CS300 aircraft and options for an additional 10 CS300 aircraft, following a letter of intent signed by IFC in 2011 and a conditional purchase agreement announced by Bombardier on February 20, 2013. Based on the list price for the CS300 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately $2.56 billion US. Should IFC also exercise its 10 options, the contract would have a total value of approximately $3.42 billion US.

“Operators in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as those based in other parts of the world, have expressed interest in acquiring the CSeries aircraft since older, less efficient aircraft designs are presenting ongoing challenges because of high fuel costs and heightened environmental awareness,” said Alexander Rubtsov, Director General, IFC. “With its clean-sheet, advanced technology design, the CS300 jetliners will help to alleviate these concerns, while offering excellent range, superior field and runway performance, and a superb cabin that will bring airline transport into the 21st century.”

Mr. Rubtsov also noted that the CSeries aircraft, with its capacity and performance, is ideally placed between the smaller Russian Superjet and the larger capacity Russian MC-21 aircraft, which IFC has committed to purchase. Additionally, he confirmed that the CS300 aircraft with the extra capacity seating option will be available for international operators interested in higher density configurations. “This is a landmark order for Bombardier Aerospace and its CSeries aircraft, as well as for this premier Russian leasing company,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “IFC’s order confirms that the CSeries aircraft is ideal for a step-change in air travel throughout the CIS and elsewhere in the world.”

Currently, 95 CRJ regional jets and Dash 8/Q-Series aircraft are in service, or on order, in Russia and the CIS. In addition, Bombardier is also exploring sale opportunities for its Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft in Russia and the CIS following the aircraft type approval that was awarded in June 2012 by the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) − commonly known by its Russian acronym, MAK − and subsequent entry-into-service of a Q400 aircraft by Yakutia Airlines from the airline’s base in northeast Russia.

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