Bombardier Aerospace today celebrated the delivery of the 600th Bombardier Challenger* widebody business jet – an aircraft that is the benchmark in its class for comfort, productivity and value for more than the last two decades.
The Bombardier Challenger 604, s/n 5557, was formally delivered to Clearwater Fine Foods of Bedford, Nova Scotia, one of the world’s leading seafood companies, at a special ceremony held during the 56th National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual Meeting and Convention.
“This is a significant milestone in corporate aviation, and a proud moment for the Bombardier Challenger program and our employees,” said Jahid-Fazal Karim, vice president, International Sales, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft. “The Challenger changed the face of business aviation when it first entered into service, and continues to lead the way in its business jet category today.”
The 600th aircraft was accepted by Gary Hamblen, aviation manager of Clearwater Fine Food’s flight department, who said it will be used by company executives on routes in North America, Western Europe and the Caribbean to visit company facilities and customers.
“I am honoured to be accepting this milestone aircraft,” stated Mr. Hamblen. “We selected the Bombardier Challenger 604 because of its outstanding range, large cabin size, ample baggage area, and proven track record as an effective business tool.”
Popular among Fortune 500 corporations, governments, high net worth individuals and air charter companies alike, Bombardier Challenger aircraft have been sold to civil operators in more than 50 countries. The aircraft is also in government service with many countries, including, among others, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Korea, Malaysia, Jordan and the United States.
As of July 31, 2003, the fleet had accumulated more than 2.45 million flight hours while posting a dispatch reliability exceeding 99.7 per cent.
The current production model, the Challenger 604, is the fifth variant of the Challenger and has been the best-selling large business jet since 1996. Powered by proven General Electric CF34-3B1 high by-pass turbofan engines, the Bombardier Challenger 604 can fly up to 4,027 nautical miles (7,458 km) and has a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.82 (541 mph; 870 km/h). It features the widest cabin of any true business jet available today – eight feet, two inches wide (2.49 m) with a comfortable stand-up room of six feet, one inch (1.85 m).
Bombardier Aerospace recently expanded the Challenger family with the addition of the super-midsize Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet (formerly the Continental*) and the Bombardier Challenger 800 (formerly the Challenger SE). The eight-passenger Bombardier Challenger 300 is designed to deliver best-of-class value in the super-midsize business jet category. Now fully certificated, the first Bombardier Challenger 300 is scheduled to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2003.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aviation products and provides services for the regional, business and amphibious aircraft markets. It also offers Bombardier Flexjet* and Bombardier Skyjet* business aircraft programs, technical services, and aircraft maintenance and pilot training for business, regional airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services company, is a world-leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational products. It also provides financial services and asset management in business areas aligned with its core expertise. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, the Corporation has a workforce of some 75,000 people and manufacturing facilities in 25 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2003 stood at $23.7 billion Cdn. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto, Brussels and Frankfurt stock exchanges (BBD, BOM and BBDd.F).
* Trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Information:
Leo Knaapen
Bombardier Aerospace
Cell : (514) 918-9352