Qantas Places Firm Order for 12 Bombardier Q400 Turboprops

Released on Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Qantas Airways of Sydney, Australia has signed a firm order for 12 Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliners on behalf of its QantasLink regional airline. Qantas has also taken options and purchase rights on an additional 24 Q400 aircraft. Four of the 12 firm-order aircraft announced today represent conversions of existing aircraft options. On October 22, 2007 Bombardier Aerospace confirmed it was in discussions with Qantas Airways with regards to this transaction.

Based on the list price of the aircraft, the contract for the 12 firm Q400 airliners is valued at approximately $339 million U.S.

"Our initial investment in the Q400 in 2005 has resulted in new regional routes, an increase in capacity and reduced flight times on some routes by up to 20 per cent," said Narendra Kumar, Group General Manager, Regional Airlines, Qantas Airways. "These additional aircraft will be used to increase capacity and service frequency on key regional routes, as well as pursue new growth opportunities."

"This follow-on order is further evidence of the Q400 airliner's value to the airlines that operate the aircraft," said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. "Quite simply, no other regional turboprop aircraft matches its speed, passenger comfort and operating economics."

QantasLink currently operates seven Q400 aircraft and another two ordered in January, 2007 are to be delivered in January, 2008.

Including the order announced today, Bombardier has received firm orders for 276 Q400 airliners, with 164 having been delivered as of July 31, 2007.