Low-Cost Carrier Nok Air Converts Two Q400 NextGen Aircraft Purchase Rights to Firm; Now Has Six on Order
- Brings the total number ofQ400 turboprop airliners sold to 501
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jul 16, 2014) - Farnborough Airshow - Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Thai carrier Nok Air has converted two of four previously acquired Q400 NextGen aircraft purchase rights to firm orders. The purchase rights were acquired under a contract announced on November 19, 2013 that also included two firm-ordered aircraft and two options, which were converted to firm orders on March 31, 2014.
Nok Air is the launch customer for the new extra capacity seating option of the Q400 NextGen turboprop. This option will allow the aircraft to accommodate up to 86 passengers and offer an advantage of up to 7 per cent fuel burn per seat, as well as an overall operating seat cost advantage of up to 17 percent compared to its closest turboprop competitor.
Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen airliner, the firm order is valued at approximately $66 million US.
"Central to our dynamic fleet growth strategy is the operation of the most reliable and fuel-efficient aircraft in the industry," said Patee Sarasin, Chief Executive Officer, Nok Air. "In that sense, the extra capacity Q400 NextGen aircraft, with its unbeatable economics and high speed, is the most suitable turboprop for Nok Air.
"The Q400 NextGen airliner will play a major role in our domestic development, but also in our international expansion as we look at new destinations such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia - areas with airports not serviceable by jets but easily accessible with the Q400 turboprop," added Mr. Sarasin.
"We are delighted that Nok Air's conversion brings the total number of Q400 aircraft sold to over 500, a significant milestone for the program," said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The Q400 turboprop has been one of the top success stories in regional airline transport since it entered revenue service in 2000. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners have demonstrated time and time again that they are the most productive, flexible and economic aircraft to serve short- and medium-haul market segments, while offering superior passenger comfort and a reduced environmental footprint."
About Q400 NextGen aircraft
The Q400 NextGen aircraft, which is built at Bombardier's Toronto, Ontario facility, is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400 aircraft, an all-new design that entered service in 2000 to address the needs of the evolving market. Optimized for short-haul operations, the Q400 aircraft is large, fast, quiet and fuel efficient. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint. Its extra capacity configuration provides seats for up to 86 passengers.
The Q400 airliner is the fastest new-technology turboprop, providing both jet speed and turboprop fuel efficiency. The aircraft therefore delivers the best flexibility and overall operating economics in its market segment, allowing airlines to successfully deploy it in a variety of markets ranging from typical short-haul turboprop markets to longer-haul jet replacement opportunities.
Including Nok Air's order, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 501 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide, Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have transported more than 295 million passengers, and have logged over 4.7 million flight hours and more than 5 million take-offs and landings. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft program includes over 50 customers and operators in over 30 countries on five continents.
About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world's only 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 Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier .
Notes to editors
Images of Q400 NextGen aircraft, and additional information on the Q400 NextGen aircraft, are available at www.q400nextgen.com
Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.
Please visit Bombardier's Web site dedicated to its upcoming events at the Farnborough International Airshow at airshows.bombardier.com .
Bombardier, NextGen, Q400 and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
For information
Marc Duchesne
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
+1-416-375-3030
marc.duchesne@aero.bombardier.com
www.bombardier.com
Genevieve Roy-Theriault
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, Asia
+86-21-5172-8334
genevieve.roy-theriault@aero.bombardier.com
