Bombardier Aerospace, a market leader in China for regional and business aircraft, is participating in the sixth China International Aviation and Aerospace Exposition (Air Show China 2006), being held in Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China from October 31 to November 5.
The Bombardier exhibit is located in Hall 1, B2-3 at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Centre.
Currently, seven commercial airlines and government agencies in China operate a total of 35 Bombardier regional aircraft, flying domestic and international routes. The airlines include China Eastern Yunnan Airlines, CR Airways, China Express, Shandong Airlines and Shanghai Airlines. In addition, China United Airlines and China Ocean Aviation operate Bombardier Challenger 850 and Challenger 870 aircraft configured as personnel shuttle aircraft. They are variants of the CRJ200 and CRJ700 regional jets respectively.
“We are extremely proud of our relationship with these leading Chinese airlines,” said Steve Crowley, Vice-President, Sales, Asia-Pacific, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. “We are delighted that our aircraft are making a positive contribution to the growth and prosperity of our customers. We are also proud of the role our aircraft are playing as China continues to develop its regional aviation infrastructure.”
Bombardier Aerospace regional aircraft are supported from the Bombardier spare parts depot in Beijing, reducing the time required to ship parts to the aircraft operator.
Earlier in 2006, Bombardier appointed Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Ltd. (STAECO) of Jinan as Bombardier’s first recognized heavy maintenance facility in Asia. More recently, Bombardier signed an agreement with Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) under which it has transferred production of some Q400 aircraft components to the Chinese company.
Bombardier Business Aircraft is also a leader in the Asia-Pacific region and is displaying a widebody Challenger 604 business jet at the event.
The Challenger 604 business jet offers proven mission flexibility and the widest cabin of any true business jet available today. Certified for civil operation in 45 countries, it has established a proven track record for dependability, reliability and outstanding value, making it the best-selling jet in the large-size category. In October 2006, Bombardier received regulatory approvals from Transport Canada (TC), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the new Challenger 605 – the next generation of the popular large category business aircraft.
The Challenger 605 jet operates at maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.82 (870 km/h), and offers an increased payload capacity of 200 pounds (91 kg), with up to 12 passengers, under certain operating conditions. The aircraft is equipped with the Rockwell Collins ProLine 21 avionics suite that supports real-time satellite graphical weather and electronic charts to enhance situational awareness and reduce pilot workload, and features a state-of-the-art Ethernet-based Cabin Electronic System.
“The past five years have been extremely strong for business aircraft sales in Asia-Pacific,” said David Dixon, Hong Kong-based Regional Vice-President, Sales, Asia-Pacific, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “We delivered 26 of the 90 aircraft in the region for 29 per cent market share – spearheaded by the Global Express, which has captured 68 per cent of the ultra long-range market segment.”
Bombardier’s premier business jet charter program, Skyjet International, offers access to over 950 jets worldwide, a growing international network and a range of innovative turnkey travel solutions. Bombardier Skyjet International has an unmatched capacity to serve the vast reaches of the Asia-Pacific region, where it is rapidly expanding its presence.
Bombardier is also promoting its proposed CSeries, a 90- to 149-seat jetliner that would enter service in 2013. Bombardier continues to discuss the project with potential partners and customers. With the projected lowest operating costs in its class, the CSeries would provide Chinese operators with an ideal solution for their route networks. Its exceptional range and hot weather-high altitude capabilities will be a significant advantage in the Chinese market place.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2006, were $14.7 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
Bombardier, Challenger 604, Challenger 605, Challenger 850, Challenger 870, CRJ200, CRJ700, Q400, CSeries and Skyjet International are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
For information:
Marc Duchesne
Bombardier Aerospace
(514) 855-7989