Aircraft to be used in fleet renewal and route expansion program
Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Eurolot S.A. of Warsaw, Poland has signed a firm order to acquire eight Q400 NextGen airliners. The transaction includes options for an additional 12 Q400 NextGen aircraft.
Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen airliner, the firm order contract is valued at approximately $246 million U.S. The contract value would increase to $625 million U.S. should all 12 options be converted to firm orders.
Eurolot began operations on July 1, 1997 and currently operates a fleet of 14 aircraft serving both domestic and international destinations.
"We are embarking both on a fleet renewal program and route expansion," said Mariusz Dabrowski," President and Chief Executive Officer, Eurolot. "We require aircraft with excellent operational flexibility, which is absolutely essential in the very competitive European environment. The Bombardier Q400 NextGen airliner promises to meet our high expectations."
"The Q400 airliner sets the standard for short-haul air transport; its operational flexibility and excellent economics are proving to be game-changing attributes in diverse markets where the aircraft operates," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "With its enhanced interior, the Q400 NextGen airliner provides an even more comfortable environment for passengers, while the aircraft's reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions provide a 'comfortably greener' solution for operators and will ultimately help the aviation industry reach its emissions reduction targets.
"We are delighted to add Eurolot to the growing family of airlines that have selected Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners for their operations," added Mr. Arcamone.
"Some 19 new operators have joined the Q400 aircraft family in the last three years, and we are extremely pleased that Eurolot will become the first Polish operator," said Chet Fuller, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft are now in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries on six continents - this is a superb testament to the aircraft's efficiency and reliability."
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.
The use of biofuels presents a significant opportunity to reduce aviation's carbon footprint and in this regard, Q400 airliners are making outstanding contributions. Over a few weeks in November 2011, the first biofuel-powered, scheduled commercial flights were conducted using a turboprop - the Q400 aircraft. In addition, this year a Q400 aircraft will be flown using fuel from an oilseed crop as part of another biofuel test program that was announced in 2010.
Including the transaction announced today, Bombardier has booked firm orders for 428 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft, with 389 delivered as of December 31, 2011.
Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft, which are in service with more than 40 operators worldwide, have transported more than 177 million passengers and have logged some 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 December 31, 2011, were $18.3 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
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Contacts:
Marc Duchesne
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
+1-416-375-3030
www.bombardier.com