Bombardier Aerospace has delivered the first Bombardier Q400* turboprop airliner to the ANA (All Nippon Airways) Group of Tokyo, Japan. The carrier placed firm orders for four 74-seat Q400 aircraft in October 2002.
The ANA Group’s Q400 aircraft will be operated by subsidiary Air Nippon Network Co. Ltd. They will be based at Osaka’s Itami airport and initially fly between Osaka and Kochi, a distance of 115 nm (213 km).
“We are delighted to welcome the first Bombardier Q400 into our expanding fleet,” said Yoji Ohashi, president and CEO of ANA, the parent company of the Group, during an acceptance ceremony at Kochi Airport. “We have high expectations for the Q400 and, judging by the accolades the aircraft has received from its other operators, we know we will not be disappointed. The Q400 aircraft’s passenger comfort, reliability and superb operating economics are well documented. We look forward to offering the Q400 to our passengers,” added Toshimitsu So, president of Air Nippon Network.
“Japan is an increasingly important and growing market for regional aircraft and we are proud that our Bombardier Q Series* turboprops and Bombardier CRJ* regional jets are the most popular choices for regional operations in that country,” said Steven A. Ridolfi, president, Bombardier Regional Aircraft.
Eight Japanese airlines have placed firm orders for 29 Bombardier regional aircraft, including 21 Q Series turboprops of all four models and eight CRJ200* regional jets. The ANA Group accounts for nine of the 29 aircraft ordered.
ANA’s first Q400 flew the 5,985 nm (10 918 km) from the Bombardier manufacturing facility at Downsview, Ontario to Osaka via Winnipeg, Manitoba; Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; Fairbanks and Nome, Alaska; Petropavlovsk, Russia; and Sapporo, Japan.
The Bombardier Q400, with 68 to 78 seats, is the largest capacity aircraft in the Bombardier turboprop family. Along with the 37- to 39-seat Q200* and 50- to 56-seat Q300*, the Q400 offers an extremely quiet and low vibration cabin environment thanks to the Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system. All models also share a common pilot type rating, common maintenance procedures, and after-sales support.
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:
Bert Cruickshank
Bombardier Aerospace
Toronto: (416) 375-3030