Bombardier Signs Austrian Airlines For Four Q400 Nextgen Airliners

Airline’s fleet will grow to 14 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Austrian Airlines of Vienna has signed a contract to acquire four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The airline has also taken options on an additional two aircraft. The aircraft will be operated by the regional airline of the Austrian Airlines Group, Tyrolean Airways. The brand name is Austrian arrows.

Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen aircraft, the contract is valued at approximately $118 million U.S. The contract value could increase to U.S. $179 million if both options are exercised.

“In today’s challenging environment, fuel efficiency is vital,” said Manfred Helldoppler, Managing Director of Tyrolean Airways. “The Q400 NextGen airliner’s low fuel consumption contributes to its low operating costs and reduced emissions. In addition our passengers will benefit from the aircraft’s all-new spacious and comfortable passenger cabin.”

Austrian arrows carrier, Tyrolean Airlines began operations in 1980 with a single de Havilland Dash 7 50-seat turboprop airliner, and it introduced the Dash 8 aircraft to Europe in 1985. Austrian arrows’ current fleet includes 12 Bombardier Q300 and 10 Q400 turboprop aircraft, and 12 CRJ200 LR regional jets.

“We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with the Austrian Airlines Group and Tyrolean Airways and appreciate their continuing confidence in our products,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “They have showcased our aircraft in Europe with great success and we are confident that they will enjoy future success with the Q400 NextGen aircraft.”

The transaction announced today increases firm orders for Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners to 317, of which 210 had been delivered as of July 31, 2008.

About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008, were $17.5 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.

Bombardier, CRJ200, Dash 7, Dash 8, Q300, Q400 and NextGen  are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

About Austrian Airlines Group

The Austrian Airlines Group provides an attractive portfolio of services in the scheduled, cargo and charter segments. Austrian Airlines, Austrian arrows (operated by Tyrolean Airways) and Lauda Air are members of the Austrian Airlines Group. Top levels of quality and punctuality, an outstanding price-performance ratio, a dense network of connections via the central Vienna hub, individualized fare selection options and the proven Austrian touch are just some of the features used successfully by the Group to distinguish itself from competitor airlines. In line with the “Focus East” strategy, the main markets of the Austrian Airlines Group are its Central and East European services and connections to the Middle East. Long-haul services to North America and the Far East complete the Group’s product range. The Austrian Airlines Group has a fleet of 100 aircraft, the average aircraft age is below the European average. This makes the fleet one of the most modern in the world. 

Notes to Editors
Images of Austrian arrows Q400 NextGen airliners are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com

 For information

John Arnone
Bombardier Aerospace
(416) 375-3030

www.bombardier.com