Bombardier Aerospace today named Global Wings, Inc. of Osaka, Japan, as the Asian launch customer for its next-generation Challenger 605 business jet, the latest and most advanced aircraft in the Bombardier Challenger family.
The widebody Challenger 605 aircraft, which features advanced avionics and the roomiest cabin in its class, is scheduled to enter service in the third quarter of calendar year 2007.
Global Wings is the pre-eminent business aviation charter, aircraft management and ground handling service provider in Japan, and the first Japanese aviation services company to provide international charter services in Northern Asia. The new Challenger 605 jet will fly charter missions throughout the continent.
“The superior range and comfort of the Challenger 605 aircraft will give Global Wings true non-stop reach to most Asian destinations and will open up new horizons for our growing customer base,” said Tak Masamura, president and chief executive officer, Global Wings, Inc. “We are proud to be the first company to introduce the outstanding capabilities of the Challenger 605 jet into Asia.”
Today’s announcement reinforces the leading role of Global Wings within Asia. The company also pioneered charter service between China and Japan with its first Learjet 45 XR super-light jet. Today’s order follows on the heels of the delivery earlier this spring of their second Learjet 45 XR business jet. Bombardier broke new ground in Japanese business aviation when the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau awarded the Learjet 45 type certification in March 2006.
“The unsurpassed performance, comfort and value delivered by Bombardier’s complete family of business jets is making it possible for forward thinking operators like Global Wings to grow and provide unparalelled services to their discriminating clientele,” said Bob Horner, vice-president, sales, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Bombardier Business aircraft. “The new widebody Challenger 605 jet is another example of Bombardier’s drive to introduce new aircraft and services that cater to the full range of operator needs.”
Launched in November 2005, the Challenger 605 aircraft is the latest in a line of innovative products and services from Bombardier that have pioneered the growth of business aviation around the world. The Challenger 605 jet features the widest cabin of any large-size business jet available today, and operates at a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.82 (870 km/h), under certain operating conditions. The aircraft is equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 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.
Following a successful first flight on January 22, 2006, the Challenger 605 aircraft began a 200-hour flight test and certification program at Bombardier’s Flight Test Center in Wichita, Kansas. As of April 29, the aircraft had accumulated 108 flight hours during 32 flights. First flight of the second Challenger 605 aircraft is on schedule for early May 2006. Transport Canada certification is expected in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2006.
About Global Wings
Located in Osaka Japan, Global Wings is Japan’s leading aviation services company, providing international charter services, aircraft management, and aircraft handling services. Global Wings’s aircraft are based in Beijing, China, and Osaka, Japan. Further information is available at www.gwings.net
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, Challenger 605, Learjet and Learjet 45 XR are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
For information
Leo Knaapen
Manager, communications
Cell: (514) 969-5181
leo.knaapen@aero.bombardier.com