BBD.B Bombardier Inc

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that WestJet, an Alberta partnership, has
signed a conditional order for 20 Q400 NextGen turboprops following the letter
of intent to purchase the aircraft that was announced by WestJet on May 1, 2012.
The transaction also includes options on an additional 25 Q400 NextGen aircraft.



Based on list price, a firm order for 20 Q400 NextGen aircraft would be valued
at approximately $683 million US, and could increase to approximately $1.59
billion US should the 25 options be converted to firm orders. 


The announcement was made today in Calgary where WestJetters and their families
were on hand for a close-up look at the Q400 NextGen aircraft on display at the
airline's Campus. Also in attendance, were potential regional airport
delegations from across the country and media representatives. Earlier this
year, an internal WestJet poll revealed that over 90 per cent of WestJetters
were in favour of launching a regional airline to serve more communities across
Canada. Set to begin operations in the second half of 2013, the regional airline
is anticipated to serve regional airports from coast to coast that are currently
considered under-served. 


"We are delighted to welcome our friends from Bombardier to our campus today as
well as representatives from the more than 30 airports across Canada hoping to
have WestJet service in their communities in the future," said Gregg Saretsky,
WestJet President and CEO. "Our launch plans are progressing nicely and we look
forward to expanding to new communities when we launch in the second half of
2013."


"This is an exciting time for Bombardier and WestJetters alike. We're equally
keen to see how WestJet will adopt the Q400 NextGen aircraft into its unique
operations and it's a thrill to see the enthusiasm as the airline solicits
feedback from the country's regional airports and its guests," said Mike
Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The Q400 NextGen
aircraft's superior economics, outstanding fuel economy and excellent passenger
comfort give WestJet the flexibility to service a diverse number of routes and
airports. We look forward to the waiving of the order conditionality in the near
future." 


As Canada's second-largest carrier, WestJet currently provides scheduled and
chartered air service in North America and the Caribbean. 


Bombardier has booked firm orders for 428 Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners and
delivered aircraft are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30
countries, on six continents. These aircraft have transported more than 177
million passengers and have logged more than 3.2 million flight hours and over
3.5 million take-offs and landings.


About Q400 NextGen aircraft

The Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner, which is built at Bombardier's Toronto,
Ontario facility, is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400
aircraft, and the advanced successor to Bombardier's Dash 8/Q-Series family of
aircraft. Optimized for short-haul operations, the "comfortably greener," 70- to
80-seat Q400 NextGen aircraft is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient
turboprop. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating
economics with a reduced environmental footprint.


The Q400 airliner was designed to meet the requirements of contemporary regional
air transport, characterized by both turboprop and jet missions. Setting new
environmental standards, the Q400 aircraft uses 30 to 40 per cent less fuel and
produces 30 to 40 per cent fewer emissions on routes where it has replaced
similar-capacity, older jets. The Q400 aircraft's maximum cruise speed of 360
knots lets the aircraft fly on demand-driven interchangeable schedules with
jets. However, the Q400 aircraft can slow down to achieve fuel parity with other
turboprops on a per-seat basis, while still maintaining both speed and cost
advantages. 


The Q400 NextGen aircraft features an enhanced cabin environment with the
introduction of LED lighting, new ceiling panels, dished window sidewalls and
larger overhead luggage bins. These features, combined with the aircraft's
Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system, provide an excellent cabin
experience for passengers.


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 Montreal, 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, 2011, we
posted revenues of $18.3 billion USD. News and information are available at
bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.


Notes to editors

Images of WestJet Q400 NextGen aircraft are available in the press releases
section at: www.bombardier.com.


Additional information on the Q400 aircraft is available at: www.q400nextgen.com. 

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from
Bombardier Aerospace.


Active Noise and Vibration Suppression, Bombardier, NextGen, Q400 and The
Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024

Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024