Globe says Bombardier argues corporate jet no frivGlobe says Bombardier argues corporate jet no frivolity
2009-12-29 07:24 ET - In the News
The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that in a year that saw customers retrench and financing for new airplane purchases dry up, Pierre Beaudoin could have done without the added problem of a public relations nightmare. The Globe's Bertrand Marotte writes the chief executive officer of Bombardier agrees the business-jet sector suffered a serious hit after the CEOs of the Detroit Three automakers flew aboard executive planes to Washington to plead for government bailouts in November, 2008. Mr. Beaudoin, however, does not expect any long-term damage from the fiasco and predicts that demand for private aircraft will bounce strongly when the economic recovery takes hold. "We have to pay attention to it," says Mr. Beaudoin about the image problem buffeting one of his key products. One way to do that is to publicly make the case for the business jet as not an extravagance, but a useful management tool in a global business environment -- not only for CEOs but for the entire executive. Still, he adds, "I was disappointed with the car manufacturers that didn't stand up and defend why they need business aircraft." Bombardier decided against mounting a PR counteroffensive.