Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Horizon Air of Seattle, Washington has signed a firm purchase agreement for two Q400 NextGen airliners. Horizon Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, is the largest operator of Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft in the Americas with 48 aircraft in service today.
Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen airliner, the transaction is valued at approximately $60 million US.
"Shifting to an all-Q400 aircraft fleet last year was a crucial element in Horizon Air's business plan," said Glenn Johnson, President, Horizon Air. "That was backed by our confidence in the aircraft's superior fuel efficiency, as well as the jet-like comfort it provides our customers in the cabin."
"Due to their speed, passenger comfort and, importantly, economics, Horizon Air's Q400 and Q400 NextGen turboprops have allowed the airline to successfully compete against low-cost carriers in its home markets," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft provide the best combination of fuel efficiency and productivity, which allows airlines to successfully deploy the aircraft in a variety of markets ranging from typical short-haul turboprop markets to longer-haul jet replacement opportunities.
"We sincerely appreciate Horizon Air's long-standing confidence in Bombardier's products and we look forward to the airline's continued growth," added Mr. Arcamone.
The use of biofuels presents a significant opportunity to reduce aviation's carbon footprint, and in this regard, Horizon Air and its sister carrier, Alaska Airlines recently achieved a milestone that will help the industry achieve its emissions reduction targets. Over a few weeks in November 2011, and using the Bombardier Q400 aircraft, Horizon Air conducted the first biofuel-powered, scheduled commercial flights using a turboprop. Using a fuel blend consisting of 20 per cent used cooking oil, the flights provided passenger service between Seattle and Portland, Oregon.
About Q400 NextGen aircraft
Optimized for short-haul operations, the "comfortably greener," 70- to 80-seat Q400 NextGen aircraft 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.
Setting new environmental standards, the Q400 NextGen aircraft uses 30 to 40 per cent less fuel and produces 30 to 40 per cent fewer emissions on routes where it has replaced similar-capacity, older jets. The Q400 NextGen aircraft is also 15 decibels quieter than ICAO Chapter 4 noise standards, raising the bar for the entire industry.
Including the transaction announced today, Bombardier has booked firm orders for 420 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft, with 389 delivered as of December 31, 2011.
Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft, which are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries and on six continents, have transported more than 177 million passengers and have logged more than 3.2 million flight hours and over 3.5 million take-offs and landings.
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 January 31, 2011, were $17.9 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 or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
Notes to editors
Images of Horizon Air Q400 NextGen aircraft are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com.
Visit Bombardier Commercial Aircraft's "one-stop" news centre for news releases, product fact sheet, backgrounders, videos, photos and links to our social media channels at: http://Press.CommercialAircraft.Bombardier.com.
Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.
Bombardier, NextGen and Q400 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contact Information