Bombardier News

A photo of her inside the hangar...

Bombardier Reaches 177 Firm CSeries Orders

Bombardier's much anticipated CSeries plane has reached 177 firm orders after the Canadian manufacturer said that a previously announced deal with Ilyushin Finance won backing from the Russian company's investors. IFC's shareholders approved the order for 32 CS300 with an option for an additional 10, Bombardier said on Tuesday. The Russian aircraft leasing company's conditional order was first announced in February.

Bombardier's new family of narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range jets is the company's challenge to industry leaders Boeing and Airbus. Industry anticipation has been building ahead of its first flight, expected at the end of June. IFC's firm order is valued at around USD$2.56 billion at list price, the company said, and including the additional 10, the contract value is about USD$3.42 billion. Bombardier, the world's fourth-largest commercial plane maker, said this week it would use the Paris air show in mid-June to unveil a previously undisclosed customer and could add new business.

With IFC's order approval, Bombardier has passed the halfway mark of its goal for 300 firm orders by mid-2014. The aviation industry is keen to see how the CSeries will do and airlines are awaiting the plane's first flight to see whether its technology and efficiency claims hold up. Earlier on Tuesday, Bombardier announced that Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, is the previously undisclosed airline that ordered up to 16 CSeries jets. The order for 10 of the 110-seat CS100 aircraft, with options for another six, was first announced in June 2011, the company said.

(Reuters)

New regional airline WestJet Encore to commence operations on June 24, 2013.

Bombardier has arrived in Paris for the 2013 Paris Airshow which will commence from June 17. They will be displaying a number of aircraft types including business jets.

"The Jet Age": Rodeo Drive Concours, Bombardier Aerospace And Flexjet Celebrate Learjet's 50th Anniversary

In celebration of Learjet’s 50th anniversary, Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance will welcome the revolutionary Learjet 85 aircraft as the first full-scale aircraft mock-up to ever appear on the famous street. The Learjet 85 is designed by Bombardier Aerospace, the world’s leading business aircraft manufacturer, and is available for fractional jet ownership exclusively through Flexjet. The Rodeo Drive Committee – in conjunction with the City of Beverly Hills – has selected “The Jet Age” as the 2013 theme to honor this milestone. "We are excited to join Flexjet and Bombardier to honor Learjet's golden anniversary,” says Concours Chairman Bruce Meyer. “The Jet Age marked a time when carmakers from post World War II through the arrival of the supersonic Concorde in the ‘70s redesigned their automobiles to highlight the most extreme designs reflecting streamlining and speed! We will display a thrilling exhibit reflecting these often outrageous designs.”

The annual Father’s Day tradition features a wide variety of vintage and racing cars and motorcycles lining Rodeo Drive north from Wilshire Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard on Sunday, June 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As the 2013 featured brand, Bombardier Aerospace and Flexjet will together present the Learjet 85 aircraft full-scale mock-up as the centerpiece of the 200 block of Rodeo Drive. Designed from a clean sheet, the all-new Learjet 85 aircraft is the first far part 25 business jet built using composites in both the wings and the fuselage, and features the latest advances in aerodynamics, structures and efficiency. Mindfully created based on owner preferences, the Learjet 85 aircraft features a spacious stand-up cabin, transcontinental range and powerful, low-emissions engines for a class that is truly its own.

“Fifty years ago, the first Learjet aircraft took flight thanks to the innovative and adventurous spirit of Bill Lear, who invented the business jet category,” said Deanna White, President, Flexjet.” “Flexjet is proud to further his legacy by offering fractional shares on the Learjet 85 aircraft, defining a new benchmark in the evolution of private aviation.” The 300 block of Rodeo Drive will feature autos inspired by the Jet Age, with smooth aero-dynamic body shapes from the 1950s and 60s, representing the optimism of the future with exciting visual elements such as fin tails, chrome-plated steel grilles and white-wall tire applications.

On the 400 block of Rodeo Drive, the event will once again showcase “The Best of the Best” with pre-1975 classic cars of any brand considered by the show’s curators. This year’s Concours will also feature a special tribute to other marques celebrating special anniversaries. “We are thrilled to honor Bombardier’s Learjet and Flexjet as the featured brand at this year’s Concours,” said Jim Jahant, President of the Rodeo Drive Committee. “It will be the first time we have a full-size aircraft cabin mock-up parked on Rodeo Drive, so the 2013 Concours d’Elegance will be historic for Beverly Hills and a must-see for residents and visitors alike.”

The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance is produced by the Rodeo Drive Committee in association with the City of Beverly Hills. Rodeo Drive, internationally recognized as the intersection of fashion and entertainment, is a unique destination for both Southern California residents, as well as visitors from around the globe. More than 100 distinguished retailers create an unparalleled atmosphere only found on the three blocks of this famed street. The Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance has been named one of the “300 Unmissable Events & Festivals Around the World" by top travel publisher Frommer's. The world-class car show is free and open to the public. For more information and registration details, please visit rodeodrive-bh.com

Bombardier is hoping to carve a new niche in the commercial aircraft market with a fuel-efficient, medium-haul jet that makes its first flight this month, but its new CSeries needs an avalanche of orders to stave off bigger rivals. Bombardier's narrow-body CSeries, aimed at a gap in the market, offers a lightweight carbon-composite frame like Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, and new, fuel-saving Pratt & Whitney engines. But there are two big challenges: Persuading the market there's room for a plane positioned midway between regional jets and larger commercial aircraft, and tempting customers to abandon the big players who have dominated for years.

"You're going up against some serious entrenched competition and if you have the balance sheet to get through that, and gouge out a position in the market, there's something here," said Richard Aboulafia, vice president of aviation consultancy Teal Group. "If you don't, then you're jumping into a volcano with an armful of money." Bombardier invested USD$3.4 billion to create the CSeries, which has between 110 and 130 seats, plus a tightly packed version that can seat up to 160. It targets 300 firm orders worth USD$19 billion by the time the plane enters service in mid-2014, up from 177 at present. Next week's Paris Air Show offers a chance to boost the still-slim order book, although the jet won't be on display. Its maiden flight won't come until the end of June, following a six-month delay that Bombardier blamed on supplier issues.

Bombardier insists its CSeries is now on schedule. "I'm very comfortable with the first flight, I'm very comfortable with the entry into service," said Mike Arcamone, president of its commercial aircraft division. Airbus and Boeing rule the world of bigger commercial jets, and will defend their turf with discounts and revamped planes, while Brazil's Embraer, the world's number three plane maker, leads in sales of smaller regional jets. Embraer has 142 firm orders for its E195, with 110-120 seats, and 556 firm orders for the E190, with 100-110 seats. Boeing and Airbus have sold 3,449 of their rival planes seating around 150 people, although only a sliver of the sales are for smaller models that compete head-on with the CSeries. It's a sign either that Bombardier has found a promising niche, or that the market simply wants different-sized planes.

'IN DENIAL'

Montreal-based Bombardier says the CSeries can corner about half of the 6,900 single-aisle 100- to 149-seat jets that airlines are expected to buy over the next 20 years, contributing between USD$5 billion and USD$8 billion in annual revenue starting in 2018. It's a badly needed boost for Bombardier. Plane sales were flat at USD$8.6 billion last year and train sales for the world's biggest train maker fell 17 percent to USD$8.1 billion. Bombardier is betting buyers will bite once the plane starts flying and especially once it enters service.

Chet Fuller, sales chief of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, argues the whole industry has been bruised by delays that plagued planes such as Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A380 and has become more conservative.

But Airbus officials dismiss that.

"They have long winters in Montreal. They are obviously in denial," Airbus sales chief John Leahy said of the Bombardier targets. Also, the performance claims were too optimistic, he said. The CSeries is the first new, narrow-body plane in decades, and Bombardier says it will cost less to buy and operate than rival jets. Rather than compete with a new plane, Boeing and Airbus have added new engines to existing aircraft to create their next-generation 737 MAX and A320neo narrow-bodied jets.

The CSeries is newer and lighter, but the added efficiency from the new engines on Airbus and Boeing jets has so far convinced most airlines to stick with established suppliers. The two big players are betting their upgraded models will hold the CSeries and other competitors at bay until around 2030, when they may bring out completely new designs. They insist that the familiarity of existing jets will be a major selling point. But experts say new engines won't be enough for the heavier Boeing and Airbus planes to match the long-term fuel efficiency and lower operating costs of new aircraft like the CSeries.

Analysts say discounts in the range of 50 percent from Boeing, Airbus and Embraer will help. At list prices, the 110-seat CS100 costs USD$63 million and the 130-seat CS300 USD$72 million. The 126-seat Boeing 737 MAX 7 costs USD$82 million, and Airbus's 124-seat A319neo USD$92 million. Two finance sources, who asked not to be named, said the CSeries would have to sell for something closer to USD$35 to USD$40 million to win big orders.

WON'T GIVE IT AWAY

Bombardier chief executive Pierre Beaudoin says he will not "give away" the CSeries, and the company has rejected deep discounts and other sweeteners. If Bombardier gets a firm footing with the current CSeries, it could stretch the plane to add more seats and has trademarked the names CS500 and CS900, just in case. "Clearly, the CSeries is quite pivotal in terms of the short-term price reaction of the stock," said Greg Kocik, managing director of TD Asset Management. "And definitely the long-term success of the company hinges on good execution of the CSeries programme, but it's not like they're betting the farm on this one programme. They're a diversified company."

(Reuters)

Bombardier Discloses Odyssey as European Customer for 10 CSeries Aircraft.

Bombardier receives 12 orders for one of their business jet types at the PAS13.

For direct information on Bombardier business jets you can head to this link...

http://businessaircraft.bombardier.com/en/aircraft/global.html

Alaska Air Group Orders Up to 10 Bombardier Q400 NextGen Turboprop Airliners

Arik Air Inks Firm Agreement for Three CRJ1000 NextGen Regional Jets and Four Q400 NextGen Turboprop Airliners

Nigeria-based airline first to operate the CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft in Africa

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Lagos-based Arik Air has signed a firm contract to acquire three CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft and four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. Based on the list price of the CRJ1000 NextGen and Q400 NextGen aircraft, the contract announced today is valued at approximately $297 million US. Arik Air currently operates four CRJ900 aircraft and two Q400 NextGen aircraft.

Bombardier Delivers its 400th Challenger 300 Jet

Bombardier Q400 Westjet delivery ceremony video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUssQORVeR4&feature=youtu.be

Bombardier's CSeries first flight delayed until late July due to software upgrades. Bombardier still plans to deliver the first CS100 version of the CSeries to launch operator Malmo Aviation by July 2014.

New Authorized Service Facility to Reinforce Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Support Services in Africa

Bombardier Aerospace added further bench strength to its fast growing support network in Africa today by naming one of the continent’s leading carriers, Ethiopian Airlines of Addis Ababa, as an Authorized Service Facility (ASF) for commercial aircraft. Bombardier has signed a Letter of Intent to authorize the airline to perform line and heavy maintenance on Q400 and Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft. The agreement is expected to take effect by late August.

Ethiopian Airlines operates modern and complete aircraft, engine and component overhaul and repair facilities at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. The facility employs an all-Ethiopian workforce of over 750 licensed technicians and support staff.

“This agreement with Ethiopian Airlines – one of Africa’s most respected airlines and a valued Bombardier customer – will provide the growing number of Bombardier operators in this region with more options for high quality maintenance support closer to their base of operations,” said Éric Martel, President, Customer Services and Specialized and Amphibious Aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace. “We are enthusiastic about the many new opportunities for commercial aviation in Africa and, through sustained investment and focus, we are expanding our support services on the continent at an accelerated pace.”

Established in 1945, award-winning Ethiopian Airlines is the flagship carrier of Ethiopia. In 2012, the airline received one of Bombardier’s top honours - an Airline Reliability Performance Award - for outstanding dispatch reliability on its Q400 aircraft fleet. Last November, the airline became the first to take delivery of Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners outfitted with a dual-class configuration on Bombardier’s production line. These five dual-class aircraft are currently in service with the airline and its affiliate, ASKY Airlines of Togo. In total, the carriers operate a fleet of 13 Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners.

This announcement closely follows earlier news that Bombardier is establishing a full service Regional Support Office at the Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa and will open a 2,153 square-foot (200 square metres) parts depot there by the end of this year.

More than 240 Bombardier business and commercial jets are based in Africa. Ethiopian Airlines will join a network of more than 60 ASF and Line Maintenance Facilities (LMF) that serve operators of Bombardier business and commercial aircraft spanning across more than 25 countries worldwide. The new Ethiopian Airlines ASF will work in close collaboration with Bombardier’s maintenance network of wholly owned service centres and ASFs in the same time zone, as well as its network of parts hubs and depots, including the newly announced Johannesburg parts depot, which will be operational 24/7.

Bombardier Boosts its Customer Services Network in Africa with the addition of a Regional Support Office and Parts Depot in Johannesburg

Bombardier is keeping the CSeries on track to fly by the end of July by passing the engine power-on step on 18 July. The initial runs on the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G geared turbofans came two days after Bombardier activated the Honeywell 131-9 auxiliary power unit.

Bombardier has announced a slight new delay for the CSeries first flight. It's now gone from the last delay from end of July to the "coming weeks". "While the process has taken more time than we had expected, we are pleased with the results and are very comfortable taking more time to ensure the required integration is finalised and the CSeries aircraft is cleared for its first flight," says Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone.

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Bombardier Aerospace confirmed today that the integration of the CSeries aircraft’s auxiliary power unit and Pratt & Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan™ PW1500G engines on the first flight test vehicle (FTV1) is running smoothly, allowing for testing of the aircraft’s key systems. It also confirmed that the latest software upgrades on the aircraft continue to be successfully completed. The CSeries aircraft’s overall integration is progressing well; however, the highly technical last steps are taking more time than initially anticipated to validate the overall systems and ongoing software integration. First flight is expected to occur in the coming weeks.

“Seeing the first CSeries aircraft power up on the tarmac was a thrilling event. We have now entered the ultimate phase of systems integration and validation on the first flight test vehicle as we submit brand new technology to in-depth tests,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “While the process has taken more time than we had expected, we are pleased with the results and are very comfortable taking more time to ensure the required integration is finalized and the CSeries aircraft is cleared for its first flight,” added Mr. Arcamone.

While in its final testing stage in preparation for first flight, FTV1 is undergoing important and complex pre-flight tests, including aircraft in the loop testing (ACIL). During ACIL tests, FTV1 is “flown" on the ground in a simulated flight environment to ensure the first aircraft behaves in the same manner as experienced with the on-the-ground Complete Integrated Aircraft Systems Test Area (CIASTA), also known as “Aircraft 0.” This will be followed by low- and high-speed taxiing. Activities with Transport Canada to obtain the Flight Test Permit for FTV1 are progressing steadily and the permit is also expected in the coming weeks.

Flexjet Reports 96 Percent Increase in New Fractional and Jet Card Sales