TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 30, 2015) - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft today welcomed Nairobi, Kenya-based, Jambojet Limited ("Jambojet") to the family of Q400 aircraft customers and operators following Jambojet's launch of service with a Q400 turboprop chartered from DAC Aviation. Jambojet is using the aircraft to provide service to three new destinations in Kenya's coastal region -- Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda -- from its base at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airlines, has joined more than 50 owners and operators of Q400 aircraft worldwide. The airline is the second new operator to have adopted the Q400 aircraft in Africa in 2015, and has become the 19th member of the family on the continent.
"We're delighted to be collaborating with DAC Aviation as we expand our network to include Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda, and enhance the service on some of our existing routes with the Q400 aircraft," said Willem Hondius, Chief Executive Officer, Jambojet. "Launching operations with the technologically advanced Q400 aircraft, whose attributes include jet-like speed and a quiet cabin in a 78-seat configuration for best cost per seat in its class, will also allow us to implement our growth strategy as we strive to open new destinations in the East African region to respond to the anticipated increased demand in business and leisure travel."
"We are very familiar with Bombardier's Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets and can attest to their reliability and cost efficiencies since we have owned and successfully deployed several for many years," said Warren Feschuk, Chief Executive Officer, DAC Aviation. "The Q400 aircraft continues this tradition of regional air transport excellence and has proven its operational capability in Africa's hot, topographically diverse landscape. It is an excellent asset in our portfolio and offers the most seats in its class. We are confident that it will meet and even exceed Jambojet's operational requirements."
"As owners and operators of Q400 turboprops worldwide continue to capitalize on the aircraft's outstanding economics and performance, we are confident in its success in Africa, where we continue to be the market leader in the 20- to 99-seat turboprop segment," said John Kassis, Regional Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "We are very happy to welcome Jambojet to our family of operators and wish the airline continued success as it executes its route and network expansion strategy."
Regional aircraft manufactured by Bombardier have made significant advances in Africa where approximately 55 Dash 8-100/200/300 turboprops, 60 Q400 turboprops, along with 50 CRJ regional jets are in service with, or ordered by, more than 40 customers and operators.
Bombardier's customer support network for commercial aircraft in Africa includes a Regional Support Office (RSO) and spare parts depot, co-located in Johannesburg, South Africa as well as Authorized Service Facilities in South Africa and Ethiopia. Operating from the company's regional office located in the United Arab Emirates, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft's sales and marketing team is well positioned to provide industry-leading solutions to its current and prospective customers.
About Q400 Aircraft
Optimized for short-haul operations and capable of seating up to 86 passengers, the Q400 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 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.
Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 538 Q400 aircraft. Worldwide, Q400 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 Bombardier
Bombardier is the world's largest 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 aircraft are posted with this press release at www.bombardier.com.
Additional information on the Q400 aircraft is available at www.q400.com.
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