Bombardier News

To mark the implementation of the C Series partnership among Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Québec on July 1, 2018, media are invited to attend a celebration for all employees at the C Series and Bombardier commercial aircraft facility in Mirabel, Québec, in the presence of the companies’ CEOs.

Date: Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Time: 1:30 p.m. for event to start at 2:00 p.m. (Time needed in advance for registration and shuttle to event location in aircraft assembly hangar)

Media availability: Following the employee event, a media question period will be held with:

• Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus
• Alain Bellemare, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc.
• Philippe Balducchi, Chief Executive Officer, C Series Program (CSALP)
• Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft

Location: 13100 Boulevard Henri Fabre, Mirabel, QC J7N 3C6

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced that its CRJ700 and CRJ900 Aircraft are now certified to operate at a higher temperature. The CRJ Series obtained a new International Standard Atmosphere certification (ISA + 40 degrees Celsius) from Transport Canada (TC) and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) in May 2018. “Our CRJ Series now have another distinctive advantage over competing regional jets,” said Patrick Baudis, Vice President, Marketing, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “This shows our strong commitment to meet the ever changing needs of the industry.” The certification process required studying the effect on engines, auxiliary power unit, environmental control system, Firex system, avionics, landing gears, flight control, hydraulics and electrical systems and aircraft performance. The ISA+40°C certification upgrade on the CRJ aircraft is available as an optional feature, both for new production and retrofit. American Airlines is the first operator to take advantage of this upgrade.

Bombardier has proudly delivered another Challenger 650 aircraft converted into an air ambulance to longstanding customer Swiss Air-Rescue Rega. The Swiss air ambulance service will soon take possession of a third Challenger 650 aircraft, completing the replacement of its earlier-generation Challenger 604 fleet. “Over the years, Bombardier Challenger aircraft have proven their reliability and endurance, and helped Rega come to the aid of so many people. We are extremely proud to have our aircraft continue to play a part in life-saving work,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The Challenger 650 aircraft is an ideal air ambulance vehicle, robust and versatile with a smooth ride that is essential when delivering in-flight medical care.”

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that its 90-passenger Q400 aircraft configuration has received its certification from Transport Canada, becoming the first in-production commercial turboprop in the world to reach that capacity. "With increasing growth in the number of passengers per departure in the turboprop market, we are excited to offer our customers a higher-capacity configuration and 15 percent lower cost per seat compared to the previous standard Q400, leading to more profitability potential for airlines," said Todd Young, Head of the Q Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "This milestone certification showcases -- once again -- the unique versatility of the Q400 turboprop and our continued commitment to the evolution of the program. "Upon delivery later this year, our launch customer SpiceJet will become the first airline to take advantage of the profitable and efficient operations of the 90-seat Q400 aircraft following its order of up to 50 in 2017,"added Mr. Young.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced recently that the company successfully placed three pre-owned Q400 turboprops with PassionAir from the Republic of Ghana. The airline acquired the aircraft through a dry-lease with a third party. "Bombardier has sold about 3,500 new regional aircraft to date, and we continue to be very active on the used aircraft market." said David Speirs, Vice President, Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Our recent momentum on the pre-owned aircraft market worldwide is a clear indication that our products are addressing a growing need for regional air transportation, especially in emerging markets."

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Industrial Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd (CIB Leasing) announced yesterday (28th August) that the parties have agreed to convert a previously announced order for 10 Bombardier CRJ Series aircraft to five 90-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprops, and five Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets. "As we work alongside CIB Leasing to explore market opportunities for regional fleet growth and network expansion in Asia, we are pleased to see that more 90-Seat Q400 turboprop will be available in the region," said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "With 15 percent lower cost per seat than the 78-seat version, our 90-seat turboprop aircraft has unique capabilities and unbeatable productivity, and we are confident that our leasing partner and potential operators will extract tremendous value from it."

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced recently that Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd. has ordered three new Q400 turboprops by signing a purchase agreement with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC). Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$106 million. “We are very pleased that Biman is expanding its Q400 fleet with this order for three new aircraft,” said François Cognard, VP, Sales, Asia Pacific. “The Q400’s greater seating and cargo capacity really set it apart from the competition. Furthermore, the Q400’s mix of turboprop economics and jet like performance were the best match for Biman’s mix of short and long-range routes. Operators coming back for more Q400 aircraft really validates the benefits of the aircraft’s unique characteristics.”

Bombardier has successfully delivered the first 90 seat Q400 turboprop to India's SpiceJet. The Indian airline is the launch customer for the new high-density version of the ever popular Q400 from Bombardier. "We are excited to induct the 90-seat Q400 aircraft into our fleet," said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet. "The additional seats and performance improvements will result in substantial reduction in unit costs and also we will be able to address our market needs in the regional space."

"The delivery of the first 90-seat Q400 aircraft showcases the commitment of Bombardier’s Q Series turboprop program to respond to customer requirements as they address traffic growth in regional markets," said Todd Young, Head of the Q Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "I thank and congratulate the employees and suppliers who have worked tirelessly to deliver this most recent enhancement to the Q400 aircraft, and I also thank our customer, SpiceJet for its strong support and collaboration in this continuous improvement program."

Bombardier Renames Its Global Completions Center In Honour of Laurent Beaudoin

Bombardier announced today that its Global Completion Center, where Global family of business jets interiors are designed, manufactured and installed, has been renamed in honour of Laurent Beaudoin, who retired in May 2018 after 55 years of service to Bombardier. Located in Dorval, Québec, the state-of-the-art facility, which was recently enlarged to host interior completion activities for the Global 7500 aircraft, will now be known as the Laurent Beaudoin Completion Center.

“Throughout his distinguished career at Bombardier, Laurent Beaudoin was motivated by his belief that nothing is impossible,” said Alain Bellemare, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. “His entrepreneurial spirit was the driving force behind the development of innovative products that redefined their industries, such as the world-famous Global Express business jet. Laurent Beaudoin’s remarkable legacy will continue to inspire our employees to push the limits of technology, craftsmanship and performance.” Under Mr. Beaudoin’s leadership, the Global Express aircraft made its first flight in 1996, and in 1998, the Global Completion Center became home to some of Bombardier’s most highly skilled craftspeople, artisans and engineers. Twenty years later, the Global family of aircraft continues to grow and remains one of the most important pillars of Bombardier’s future.

On November 8, 2018 at 8:00 a.m., EDT, Alain Bellemare, President and Chief Executive Officer; John Di Bert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Patrick Ghoche, Vice President, Investor Relations, will hold a conference call intended for investors and financial analysts to review the company’s financial results for the third quarter of 2018.

Bombardier’s Safety Standdown conference, held October 30 – November 1, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Wichita, Kansas, has reached full capacity. Aviation professionals interested in attending the event can still participate in the event by joining the webcast on the Safety Standdown website.
“Staying connected to Bombardier Safety Standdown’s network of professionals – whether through participation in person or via the webcast – will help refocus participants on safety in an ever more complex and fast paced aviation environment,” said Chris Lutat, author of Automation Airmanship and member of the Bombardier Safety Standdown Advisory Council. Open to all aviation professionals, regardless of operator, Safety Standdown’s webcast will cover the general session as well as selected workshops, including on “Just Culture”, upset prevention and recovery aerodynamics, and bird/wildlife strikes. These workshops will feature knowledge-based aviation safety training, along with personal discipline and responsibility, as essential elements of aviation professionalism and safety.

Longview Aviation Capital Corp., parent company to Viking Air Ltd., agreed to acquire Bombardier's entire Dash 8 program, including the 100, 200 and 300 series and the in-production Q400 program. The transaction, valued at approximately $300 million, also includes rights to the de Havilland name and trademark. The transaction is expected to close by the second half of 2019, which would make Longview North America’s largest commercial turbo-prop aircraft manufacturer.

Additionally, on November 8, Bombardier announced Montreal training giant CAE agreed to acquire Bombardier’s Business Aircraft Training business for approximately US$645 million ($844.5 million in Canadian funds). Bombardier business jets currently account for approximately 4,800 aircraft in service worldwide.

The line maintenance station at Le Bourget Airport is the seventh such facility that Bombardier has opened in the past 18 months, the company said, adding the facility will provide enhanced services, including wheel and battery shops, to the growing customer base in Europe. Technicians there are certified to support Learjet 60s, all Challenger 300 and 600 series, and the Global series, including the new 7500. The center will provide both scheduled and unscheduled line maintenance and AOG support. In North America, meanwhile, Bombardier added five mobile response team (MRT) trucks this month, increasing the total to 30 worldwide. The newest additions are based in San Francisco and Santa Ana, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Scottsdale, Arizona. Bombardier said the trucks are strategically placed to enhance its reach throughout the U.S.

Check out the new retractable side-ledge cabin control system on the new Global 7500. It is using OLED technology and it is touchscreen as you would imagine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=45&v=LGt73d-bKVI

Bombardier Business Aircraft today announced the appointment of Peter Bromby as Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Learjet Aircraft. Bromby will assume overall responsibility for sales with a dedicated U.S.-based sales team and apply his vast experience and insight to driving sales of this impressive Bombardier brand. He will retain his current responsibilities as Vice President, Worldwide Pre-owned Aircraft Sales.

A seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in aviation sales, Peter has held a number of key roles in his career. Peter joined Bombardier in 2015 as Director, Sales, Learjet Aircraft. One year later, he was promoted to the role of Regional Vice President, Sales, Pre-owned Aircraft, helping to transform Bombardier’s pre-owned Learjet, Challenger and Global business worldwide. Under his new role, he has a clear mandate to increase Learjet brand awareness and sales, particularly in the North American market.

Bombardier advises that they have added a mobile response truck (MRT) to the New England area in the United States. This strategically located MRT truck will enhance the delivery of parts and technical support to business jet hubs such as Boston and Bedford, Massachusetts.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that a subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc. (“Chorus Aviation”) has finalized a firm purchase agreement for nine (9) CRJ900 aircraft. These aircraft will be operated by Jazz Aviation LP, a subsidiary of Chorus Aviation, under the Air Canada Express banner, making them the first Canadian operator of the new ATMOSPHÈRE cabin for CRJ Series regional jets. Based on the list price of the CRJ900 aircraft, the order is valued at approximately $437 million U.S.

Bombardier has finished the work concerning the sale of its Business Aircraft Training Unit. Of course the sale went to CAE. "Bombardier and CAE share a deep commitment to providing outstanding support to their customers," said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Experience, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "Bombardier’s talented employees and strong relationships with clients, combined with CAE’s network and expertise, will elevate the customer experience. As CAE grows its core training business, Bombardier continues to expand its service offerings and dedicated support, each to the benefit of Bombardier Business Aircraft customers around the world." CAE said the enterprise value of the purchase was worth around US$645 million when they announced it on 8th of November 2018.

Wideroe signed up for Bombardier Dash 8-100 extended service program.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced recently that Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS of Norway has signed an agreement to apply the Extended Service Program (ESP) to another four Dash 8-100 aircraft operated by the Norwegian airline. "Our Extended Service Program allows operators to take further advantage of the Dash 8-100 aircraft’s economic and operational value," said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Head of the Q Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The ESP increases the service life of our Dash 8-100 aircraft from 80,000 to 120,000 flight cycles, providing our customers with an extension of approximately 10-12 years for the operation of the aircraft."