Bombardier Aerospace concluded the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow with $3.27 billion in firm orders and other commitments for its Q400 NextGen, CRJ and CSeries aircraft.
Since July 7, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced firm orders and other commitments for up to 52 aircraft with China Express Airlines, airBaltic, Jazz Aviation LP and an undisclosed customer. Through the first half of the year, Bombardier has registered 154 orders from 11 customers across the globe. During the show, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft also briefed members of the media on the CSeries aircraft program, including on its discussions with Ilyushin Finance Co. and AirAsia, as well as held events with Nordic Aviation Capital, Flybe and Pratt & Whitney. In addition, Jazz Aviation grabbed headlines with the announcement that it had enrolled its fleet of Q400 NextGen aircraft in Bombardier's Smart Parts cost protection program, making it the fifth prominent airline worldwide to have signed a customized long-term Smart Parts agreement for its Q400 aircraft fleet in the past few months.
The airshow was also an opportunity for Bombardier Business Aircraft to provide an update on its Learjet aircraft development programs. During a press conference on Wednesday, July 11, Ralph Acs, Vice President and General Manager, Learjet, Bombardier Business Aircraft, confirmed that there are now four Learjet 85 test aircraft in various stages of fabrication. The Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft program is also progressing well, with the first two flight test aircraft having already logged more than 135 flights and 600 test hours.
