Bombardier Business Aircraft announcements at Farnborough 2006 top US $220 million
Bombardier today announced the signature of contracts for a super midsize Challenger 300 aircraft and a high speed Bombardier Global 5000 jet by the first customer in Libya, United Aviation. Based on the list price for typically equipped aircraft, the transaction is valued at approximately $55 million US.
United Aviation, a new executive charter company based in Tripoli, will offer the aircraft for flights to Europe and the Middle East.
“Our charter service caters to VIP customers across the Middle East who demand the highest quality,” said the Chairman of United Aviation. “We selected the Challenger 300 aircraft for its widebody cabin comfort and its reliability, proven and renowned across the industry. Meanwhile, the superior speed and high technology cabin of the Bombardier Global 5000 jet place it in a class above the rest.”
Business jet orders strong at Farnborough 2006
This latest announcement caps a strong week of orders for Bombardier Business Aircraft. On Tuesday, VistaJet of Switzerland placed a firm order for three widebody Challenger 605 jets, while two orders for Learjet 60 XR aircraft were placed by Nove Holding of Bulgaria and a customer from the Czech Republic. Today, Bombardier also announced the order of a Learjet 45 XR super-light jet by the Government of Sindh, the launch customer for Pakistan, and VistaJet signed a contract for a Global Express XRS ultra-long range business jet. Based on the list price for typically equipped aircraft, the tally for this week’s announcements is valued at over $220 million US.
“This landmark first contract signing for Bombardier jets into Libya wraps up a very successful week and highlights the versatility and popularity of all Bombardier business jets internationally,” said Jahid Fazal-Karim, senior vice-president, new aircraft sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft.
Challenger 300
This first true super midsize business jet offers transcontinental range and superior long-range cruise speed with eight passengers. The aircraft, which entered service in January 2004, can fly London-Riyadh non-stop with a full payload. Its superior airfield performance allows it to operate out of 5,000-foot (1,524-m) runways with ease. The Challenger 300 jet in-service fleet totals over 80 aircraft, with a dispatch reliability of 99.5 per cent.
Bombardier Global 5000
This high-speed jet, which entered service in April 2005, connects Tripoli-Beijing – non-stop at a cruise speed of Mach 0.85 – in 9 hours, 45 minutes, under certain conditions, faster than any other jet in its category. It also flies shorter trans-Atlantic missions at speeds up to Mach 0.89, making it the fastest civil aircraft to connect North America to continental Europe. The Bombardier Global 5000 is equipped with the most technologically advanced cabin available today, featuring the first-ever application of the Ethernet-based Airshow 21 Cabin Electronic System, including a host of entertainment options and baseline high-speed data connectivity.
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 Exchanges (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
Bombardier, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Bombardier Global 5000, Learjet 45 XR and Learjet 60 XR are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
For information
Leo Knaapen
Manager, communications
Bombardier Business Aircraft
Cell: 514-969-5181
leo.knaapen@aero.bombardier.com
www.bombardier.com