Bombardier Aerospace announced today that fast-growing Porter Airlines of Toronto has placed a firm order for two Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The transaction involves the conversion of two of the six options announced by Bombardier along with Porter's firm order for four Q400 NextGen aircraft on August 6, 2010.
Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen aircraft, the order announced today is valued at approximately $61 million US.
The two aircraft will increase the total number of Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft ordered by Porter to 26; 20 of these are already in service.
Porter Airlines began operations from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in October 2006, with two aircraft and two destinations. The airline, which currently serves 16 destinations in Canada and the United States, celebrated its 100,000th flight on March 11, 2011 with special guests and passengers at St. John's International Airport prior to the flight's departure.
"Bombardier's Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have been perfect for our operations based at Toronto's downtown airport," said Robert Deluce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines. "Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have a reduced environmental impact, and they are also fast and comfortable for our passengers."
"In just four and a half years, Porter Airlines has become Canada's third-largest scheduled airline with a combination of the right aircraft and a devotion to passenger care and comfort," said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "We are very proud that Bombardier's Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have played a pivotal role in Porter's success story."
Q400 NextGen aircraft
Optimized for short-haul operations, the "comfortably greener," 70- to 80-seat Q400 NextGen aircraft, which is manufactured at Bombardier Aerospace's Toronto facility, is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient turboprop. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint. Including Porter Airlines' order announced today, Bombardier has booked firm orders for a total of 408 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft, and as of January 31, 2011, 344 had been delivered. Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft are in service with more than 30 operators worldwide and have logged more than 2 million flight hours and over 2 million landing and take-off cycles. In November 2010, Bombardier delivered the 1,000th Dash 8/Q-Series turboprop - a Q400 NextGen airliner. This milestone delivery re-confirmed the Dash 8/Q-Series turboprop program as one of the most successful regional aircraft programs in history.
About Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines is Canada's third-largest scheduled carrier, based at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline(R) in the World Airline Star Rating(R) by Skytrax, committed to offering speed, convenience and service as part of a premium travel experience. The airline offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax,
St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston (Logan), and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que. and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Visit www.flyporter.com or call (888) 619-8622 for more information.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2010, were $19.4 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
Note to editors
Images of Porter Airlines Q400 NextGen aircraft are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com.
Bombardier, Dash 8, NextGen, Q400 and Q-Series are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contacts:
Bombardier Aerospace
John Arnone
+1-416-375-3662
www.bombardier.com