Bombardier Learjet 40, Challenger 300 and Global 5000 attest to the growing breadth of Bombardier Aerospace's business aircraft offerings.
Bombardier Aerospace today kicked off the 45th Paris International Air Show by displaying its three newest business jets – the performance driven Bombardier Learjet 40* light aircraft, the category-defining Bombardier Challenger 300* super-midsize aircraft and the powerful Bombardier Global 5000* super-large business jet. All are appearing at Le Bourget for the first time. The Bombardier Challenger 300 will enter service later this year, while the Learjet 40 and the Global 5000 aircraft will enter service in 2004.
“Bombardier now offers a total of nine business jets in three distinct families – Learjet, Challenger and Global. It is a great pleasure to have our latest aircraft mark their Le Bourget debut simultaneously. Their collective presence clearly demonstrates Bombardier’s continued commitment to business aviation,” stated Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “We undoubtedly offer the most modern and versatile line of business jets in the industry.”
“These new aircraft were developed following extensive market research with business jet owners and operators,” explained Mr. Edwards. “The resulting aircraft – one in each Bombardier product family – offer the solutions identified in their respective aircraft segments better than any other business jet available today.”
Bombardier Learjet 40
Making its first international appearance is the Bombardier Learjet 40. Launched at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2002, the Learjet 40 is a six-to-seven passenger light jet that combines superior comfort and low direct operating costs. It offers unequalled payload/range capabilities, and legendary Learjet performance and speed.
The aircraft on static at Le Bourget, s/n #45-2001, is the first Learjet 40 production model. It features the new “Indy” interior, and has been used for a wide range of evaluations in the flight test program, accumulating some 60 hours. Certification of the Learjet 40 is expected this summer and customer deliveries are scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2004.
Bombardier Challenger 300
Officially launched at the 1999 Paris Air Show as the Bombardier Continental Business Jet*, the Bombardier Challenger 300 is designed to deliver best-of-class value in the emerging super-midsize business jet category. At a highly competitive price, it offers true transcontinental range and superior long-range cruise speed, combined with a full eight-passenger cabin and operating costs better than current midsize jets.
Making its first ever-public appearance is test aircraft s/n #20005, which features a fully functional interior. It has been used predominantly for function and reliability testing since its first flight on March 8 of this year, and has accumulated more than 259 flight hours.
Bombardier Global 5000
Making its first appearance in Europe, the Bombardier Global 5000 provides the widest and most spacious cabin among super-large business jets. Launched in February 2002, this high-speed intercontinental business jet is capable of flying non-stop from continental Europe to central North America at Mach 0.85 with eight passengers and three crew. With the shortest balanced field length of any widebody business jet, the Global 5000 will fly executives in and out of airfields closer to their point of business.
On display at Le Bourget is the first aircraft, s/n #9127, which has accumulated 70 hours in the flight test program. Certification of the Global 5000 business jet is expected during the first quarter of 2004.
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. and/or its subsidiaries.
Information:
Leo Knaapen
Bombardier Aerospace
Paris Chalet: 011 33 1 4157 6016