Abu Dhabi Aviation Signs LOI for Two Bombardier Q400 NextGen Aircraft

Longtime Bombardier customer to increase its fleet of robust Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Abu Dhabi Aviation, based in Abu Dhabi, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for two Q400 NextGen aircraft. The airline is a longtime Bombardier Q-Series aircraft customer.

Based on the list price, the potential contract value for Abu Dhabi Aviation’s transaction, covering two Q400 NextGen aircraft, would be approximately $70 million US.

Abu Dhabi Aviation, the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East, operates a fleet that includes one Q400 aircraft, one Dash 8/Q300 aircraft and two Dash 8/Q200 turboprops. The carrier’s main activities relate to the support of offshore oil, engineering and construction companies.

“Our operation of Bombardier commercial aircraft spans over 20 years and the acquisition of the Q400 NextGen turboprop, with its exceptional performance and superior payload capability in our challenging operating environment, will allow us to serve our customers effectively,” said Nadir Al Hammadi, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Aviation.

“Abu Dhabi Aviation’s long-term operation of Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops showcases the robust characteristics of these aircraft, and is a testament to their suitability for service in the world’s most demanding climatic conditions,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Q400 NextGen aircraft in particular, is very well positioned against its closest competitor, affording operators significant economic advantages, flexibility and operational efficiencies.”

Bombardier’s presence in the Middle East and Africa currently includes more than 200 Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops,CRJ regional jets and CSeries single-aisle; mainline aircraft in service or on firm order.

About Q400 NextGen aircraft
The Q400 NextGen turboprop is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400 aircraft and the advanced successor to Bombardier’s Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft. Optimized for short-haul operations, the “comfortably greener,” 70- to 86-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.

The Q400 NextGen aircraft is ideally suited to the Middle East and Africa because of its outstanding capabilities, including its hot and high performance; ability to operate from unpaved runways; jet-like speed of 360 knots (667 km/h) that allows it to easily maintain jet schedule; range capability of 1,114 nm (2,063 km); and advanced avionics that offers pilots enhanced situational awareness and flexibility.

Worldwide, Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have transported more than 295 million passengers and have logged over 4.7 million flight hours and more than 5 million take-offs and landings. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft program includes some 50 customers and operators in over 30 countries on five continents.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, we posted revenues of $16.8 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to Editors

• Images of Q400 NextGen aircraft in Abu Dhabi Aviation’s livery are posted with this press release at www.bombardier.com.
• Additional information on the Q400 NextGen aircraft is available at www.q400nextgen.com.
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