Porter Airlines Signs for Three More Bombardier Q400 Turboprops

/EINPresswire.com/ -- TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 07/12/16 -- Farnborough International Airshow - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Porter Airlines Inc. of Toronto announced today that they have signed a firm purchase agreement for three Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliners.

Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately $US 93 million.

The three aircraft on firm order will increase Porter's Q400 aircraft fleet to 29 aircraft. Porter exclusively flies Q400 airliners. The first two deliveries are scheduled for December 2016.

"The Toronto-built Bombardier Q400 aircraft is everything you could ask for in a turboprop," said Robert Deluce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Porter Airlines. "It is an important component of our award-winning customer experience. The combination of operating efficiency, speed, very low noise levels inside and out, and excellent passenger appeal are unbeatable."

Porter's home base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is known as one of the world's best urban airports. It is located within three kilometers of the central business and entertainment districts. Approximately 2.5 million passengers used the airport in 2015.

"Porter Airlines and the Q400 aircraft are providing access to a very convenient airport close to downtown Toronto, akin to that of London City Airport in the U.K., and the growth in passenger traffic reflects that," said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The aircraft's low noise levels on take-off and approach make it a good-neighbor aircraft for the downtown, while its operating economics make it a very valuable asset for an airline."

About the Q400 Aircraft

Designed as a modern, 21st-century turboprop, the Q400 aircraft is the most recent development in the Q Series family of aircraft. It provides unmatched performance, operational flexibility and passenger comfort. In addition to the standard single-class configuration, Q400 aircraft are available with an optional dual-class interior for enhanced passenger comfort; in an optional extra-capacity configuration offering up to 90 seats for higher-density markets; and in a cargo-passenger combi configuration.

Thanks to its combination of turboprop attributes, jet-like features, industry-leading passenger experience and environmental footprint, the Q400 aircraft is exceptionally versatile and can be adapted to a variety of business models. By offering a 30 per cent reduction in fuel burn over the jets it often replaces, the Q400 aircraft radically reduces carbon emissions and increases cost efficiency. Its high-speed cruise -- 160 km/h faster than conventional turboprops -- places the aircraft's flight time within minutes of jet schedules, at the same seat cost as larger single-aisle jets. Its large propellers operate at a lower RPM, generating more power with less noise and making it a friendly option for city centres.

The Q400 aircraft family includes over 60 owners and operators in almost 40 countries. The worldwide fleet has logged more than 6.9 million flight hours and has transported more than 429 million passengers. Long recognized as a high-value asset by operators, the Q400 aircraft is now also attracting growing interest from the leasing community.

Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 562 Q400 aircraft.

About Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality, restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® and also rated as Best Regional Airline in North America by Skytrax.

The airline currently offers flights to 23 North American destinations. Visit www.flyporter.com for more information.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world's leading 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 North America Index. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, 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 Porter Airlines Q400 aircraft are posted with this press release at www.bombardier.com.

For more information on the Q400 aircraft, please visit http://news.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com.

Follow @BBD_Aircraft on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

To receive our press releases, please visit the RSS Feed section of Bombardier's Website.

Bombardier, Q400, Q Series and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Contacts:
Marianella de la Barrera
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
+1-416-375-3030
marianella.delabarrera@aero.bombardier.com
www.bombardier.com

Brad Cicero
Porter Airlines
+1-416-619-8593
media@flyporter.com
www.flyporter.com