TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Apr 13, 2015) - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that Air Côte d'Ivoire, the national airline of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire has converted options on twoQ400 NextGen airliners to a firm order. Air Côte d'Ivoire's two options were acquired under a contract announced on December 18, 2013 that also included a firm order for two Q400 NextGen aircraft. Air Côte d'Ivoire took delivery of its first two aircraft in 2014, in a dual-class configuration.
Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen turboprop, the firm order is valued at approximately $69 million US.
"The demonstrated performance of the Q400 NextGen aircraft has been exceptional as we continue to develop our domestic short- and medium- haul markets and increase our route network," said René Décurey, Chief Executive Officer, Air Côte d'Ivoire. "It's the most productive, flexible and economical aircraft for our growth strategy and its dual-class cabin fits well with an overall service offering that has been wonderfully received by our passengers. We are placing this additional order as the Q400aircraft is a significant contributor to our bottom line."
"We are pleased that Air Côte d'Ivoire continues to grow with our Q400aircraft, thanks to its jet-like speed and best-in-class seat economics," said John Kassis, Regional Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The Q400 turboprop has been one of the top success stories in the region and it continues to prove its operational capability and flexibility in Africa's hot, topographically diverse landscape."
"The growth of the Q400 turboprop and CRJ regional jet fleets in Africa is evidence that airlines there are developing strong regional networks with modern, efficient aircraft to serve point-to-point destinations within the regions as well as feed intercontinental traffic at major hubs," added Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President, Sales, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia and CIS, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Only Bombardier with its regional turboprop and jet aircraft, available in one-, two-, or three-class passenger cabins, with proven performance, reliability and economics, can fill these roles."
About Q400 NextGen Aircraft
Optimized for short-haul operations, the Q400 NextGen aircraft is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient turboprop. It provides the perfect balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint.
The Q400 NextGen aircraft is the fastest new-technology turboprop, providing both jet speed and turboprop fuel efficiency. The aircraft's economics and operational flexibility allow airlines to profitably deploy it in a variety of ways to serve typical short-haul turboprop routes, as well as medium-haul jet markets.
NextGen aircraft are available with an optional dual-class interior for enhanced passenger comfort; an optional extra-capacity configuration with up to 86 seats for high-density markets; and a cargo-passenger combi configuration.
Including today's announcement, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 541 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide, Q400 andQ400 NextGen aircraft have transported more than 355 million passengers and have logged over 5.7 million flight hours and more than 6.1 million take-offs and landings. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft program includes over 50 owners and operators in close to 40 countries on six continents. Long recognized as a high-value asset by operators, the Q400 aircraft is now also attracting growing interest from the leasing community.
About Air Côte d'Ivoire
Air Côte d'Ivoire started operations in November 2012 and serves 22 destinations in West and Central Africa, including three new destinations in Côte d'Ivoire that were added in November 2014 . The airline transported 400,000 passengers in 2014 and its objective is to carry 600,000 in 2015. The airline is owned in part by the Government of Côte d'Ivoire (65 per cent), Air France (20 per cent) and private investor Goldenrod Investissement (15 per cent). News and information are available on www.aircotedivoire.com.
About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world's leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.
Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, we posted revenues of $20.1 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
Notes to Editors
Images of Q400 NextGen aircraft in Air Côte d'Ivoire's livery are posted with this press release at www.bombardier.com.
Additional information on the Q400 NextGen aircraft is available at www.q400nextgen.com.
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