Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Frontier Airlines of Denver, Colorado has signed a contract to acquire 10 Bombardier Q400 74-seat airliners. The contract includes options on 10 additional Q400 aircraft.
The value of the firm orders based on list price is $256.8 million US. The value could rise to $520.3 million US if the 10 options are exercised.
The Q400 aircraft is the airline’s first turboprop. Frontier operates 280 flights a day to 57 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, some of which are flown by Horizon Air as Frontier JetExpress using Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.
“Only the Bombardier Q400 aircraft has the very low operating costs and operational characteristicsthat we require to develop new flying from our hub in Denver to points in Colorado and surrounding states,” said Jeff Potter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Airlines. “The aircraft’s high cruise speed and excellent passenger comfort complete an extremely attractive package. Judging from the experience of other Q400 operators, our passengers are going to enjoy flying in this aircraft.”
“We are delighted that Frontier Airlines has recognized the superb qualities of the Bombardier Q400,” said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. “This aircraft is in a class by itself. There is no other regional aircraft that comes close to matching its low operating costs and we look forward to supporting Frontier’s future growth.”
Frontier Airlines becomes the 18th operator to order the Bombardier Q400. Firm orders stood at 185 aircraft as of July 31, 2006, with 125 having been delivered.
About Frontier
Currently in its 13th year of operations, Denver-based Frontier Airlines is the second largest jet service carrier at Denver International Airport, employing approximately 5,000 aviation professionals. With 55 aircraft and one of the youngest Airbus fleet in North America, Frontier offers 24 channels of DIRECTV® service in every seatback along with 33 inches of legroom in an all coach configuration. In conjunction with Frontier JetExpress operated by Horizon Air, Frontier operates routes linking its Denver hub to 55 destinations including 47 destinations in 29 states spanning the nation from coast to coast, seven cities in Mexico and one city in Canada. Frontier's maintenance and engineering department has received the Federal Aviation Administration's highest award, the Diamond Certificate of Excellence, in recognition of 100 percent of its maintenance and engineering employees completing advanced aircraft maintenance training programs, for seven consecutive years. In July 2006, Frontier ranked as one of the "Top 5 Domestic Airlines” as determined by readers of Travel & Leisure magazine. Frontier provides capacity information and other operating statistics on its Web site, which may be viewed at FrontierAirlines.com.
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, Q400 and CRJ700 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
For information:
Marc Holloran
Bombardier Aerospace
(416) 375-3030