First Of 30 To Be Operated By PSA Airlines

The first of 30 enhanced CRJ900 NextGen aircraft has been delivered to American Airlines Group Inc. The aircraft will be operated by American Airlines Group wholly owned subsidiary PSA Airlines, Inc. under the American Eagle brand. The purchase agreement for the aircraft, which was announced in December 2013, also included options on an additional 40 CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.

Prior to Thursday's delivery ceremony, the aircraft was unveiled to American Airlines employees and PSA Airlines employees at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and in Dayton, Ohio. Representatives of the media also had the opportunity to view the aircraft.

American Airlines is the first customer to take delivery of the enhanced CRJ900 NextGen regional jet, which Bombardier says provides up to 5.5 per cent fuel burn reduction over earlier-generation CRJ900 aircraft.

The delivery ceremony at Bombardier's Mirabel, Quebec, facility was attended by senior executives and employees of American Airlines, PSA Airlines, Bombardier and major suppliers to the CRJ Series regional jet program.

"We look forward to integrating the enhanced CRJ900 NextGen aircraft into our fleet and to expanding service for our customers," said Keith Houk, President, PSA Airlines. "The new CRJ900 NextGen aircraft will provide us with new opportunities and signal a bright future for PSA."

"This milestone delivery of the first enhanced CRJ900 NextGen aircraft further cements our long-standing relationship with American Airlines and we are pleased to welcome PSA Airlines as the latest operator to join the CRJ900 NextGen family," said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Both airlines have been operating Bombardier aircraft for more than 10 years and have helped the CRJ family of aircraft become the benchmark in regional aviation. We look forward to the aircraft's imminent entry-into-service and congratulate American Airlines and PSA Airlines as they target their various markets with the right aircraft to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers."

As of March 31, 2014, Bombardier had recorded firm orders for 1,817 CRJ Series aircraft, including 343 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.

(Image provided by Bombardier)

FMI: www.bombardier.com