Bombardier Sells Three More Canadair 415 Aircraft to Italy
SEPTEMBER 28, 1999
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--Bombardier Aerospace today announced that the
Department of Civil Protection of the Government of Italy has
signed a contract for three more Canadair 415* amphibious aircraft.
This order, the third in less than two years, will increase the
Italian Canadair 415 firefighting fleet to a total of 13 turboprop
aircraft. One aircraft will be delivered in January 2000 and the
other two in April 2000.
"We are delighted Italy recognizes the Canadair 415 as the best
aircraft to combat wildfires," said Tom Appleton, president,
Amphibious Aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace. "Its unique design and
operational performance has been proven worldwide."
Since entering service with the Italian Department of Civil
Protection in the spring of 1995, the Canadair 415 aircraft have
accumulated over 10,200 flight hours and have completed more than
37, 811 drops. "Since the beginning of their operations, the
Canadair 415 have demonstrated their excellent capabilities by
operating effectively and safely at low altitudes in rugged and
demanding conditions," added Mr. Appleton.
This order increases the Canadair 415 orderbook to 55 aircraft, 42
of which have been delivered to firefighting agencies in Croatia,
France, Greece, Italy, Ontario and Quebec.
In the Mediterranean region, France, Croatia, Italy and Greece
currently operate 25 Canadair 415 amphibious aircraft. In
addition, Spain operates 15 CL-215T turboprop aircraft, while
Greece, Spain and Croatia have 22 CL-215 piston aircraft in
service, both models produced by Bombardier Aerospace.
The Canadair 415 has a maximum speed of 375 km/h (235 mph) and in
an average mission of 11 kilometres (six nautical miles) distance
from water to fire, it can complete nine drops within an hour,
delivering 55,260 litres (14,600 U.S. gallons) of fire
suppressant. Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is
the world's third largest civil aircraft manufacturer with
operations in three countries. Leading the 20- to 70-passenger
regional carrier market, Bombardier Aerospace offers complete
families of turboprop and regional jet aircraft. It has the
industry's widest range of business jets, offering both full and
fractional ownership, and also produces firefighting/maritime
mission aircraft. It provides technical services, aircraft
maintenance and pilot training to business, regional airline and
military customers.
Bombardier Inc. is a Canadian corporation active in the fields of
aerospace, rail transportation equipment, recreational products,
financial services and services related to its products and core
businesses. It operates plants in 12 countries in North America,
Europe and Asia, and more than 90 per cent of its revenues are
generated outside Canada. Bombardier's revenues for its fiscal
year ended January 31, 1999 totalled $11.5 billion Cdn. |
