Bombardier Delivers First High-Speed Q400 Turboprop to
North American Launch Customer Horizon Air
TORONTO, ONTARIO--JANUARY 8, 2001 - 09:00 EST
Bombardier Aerospace has delivered the first of
15 70-seat Q400 turboprop airliners to North American launch
customer, Seattle-based Horizon Air. The carrier will have a
fleet of 15 Q400s by year-end and holds options for an additional
15.
Horizon's first Q400, expected to enter service in mid-February,
arrived at the airline's operational base in Portland, Oregon
following a ferry flight from Toronto where Bombardier's Q Series
turboprops are manufactured. The aircraft will undertake a series
of proving runs prior to entering regularly scheduled service.
"The Q400 provides a winning combination: the speed and comfort
of a jet and the economics of a turboprop," said George Bagley,
Horizon Air president and CEO. "We look forward to its economic
advantages - particularly in the midst of skyrocketing fuel costs
- as well as the flexibility its 70 seats bring to our network.
And, our customers will have something to look forward to as well.
The noise and vibration suppression system, popular on our Q200
fleet, means a quieter ride and leg room throughout the plane will
be comparable to most first class cabins," he said.
"We are proud to have Horizon Air as our Q400 launch customer in
North America," said Steve Ridolfi, president, Bombardier
Aerospace, Regional Aircraft. "Horizon has been a valued customer
since 1985 and we look forward to continuing this relationship
with their showcase Q400 service in the U.S. northwest. We are
confident the Q400's superb economics, with the lowest seat-mile
cost and lowest breakeven load factor in its class, will help
Horizon increase its profitability," he said.
The specific routes on which Horizon's Q400 will operate have not
been finalized. As the aircraft arrive this year, Horizon will
gradually retire its 37-seat Dash 8-100 turboprops while retaining
its newer 37-seat Q200 turboprops.
Founded in 1981, Horizon operates more than 550 daily flights
serving 40 cities throughout five western states and Alberta and
British Columbia in Canada. Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines are
subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is the leading
business, regional and amphibious aircraft manufacturer. With
full design and production capabilities in three countries, it
offers the most comprehensive families of turboprop and regional
jet aircraft and the widest range of business jets. It also
provides the Flexjet(R) fractional business aircraft ownership
program, technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot
training for business, regional airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company,
is a world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional
aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational
products. It is also a provider of financial services and asset
management. The Corporation employs 56,000 people 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 Jan. 31, 2000, totalled Cdn$13.6
billion.
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