100-Seat RJ To Enter Service In Late 2009

Bombardier announced Monday the formal launch of its CRJ1000 regional jet, the next major step in the evolution of its CRJ line of regional aircraft.

Previously designated the CRJ900X jet, the CRJ1000 regional airliner is designed specifically to meet the needs of growing regional airlines for jets of up to 100 seats, with a focus on extremely low operating costs and improvements to cabin comfort.

"We anticipated the need for larger regional aircraft when we introduced the CRJ700 regional jet in 1997 and the CRJ900 regional jet in 2000. These aircraft are now the backbones of many airline fleets worldwide," said Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "Today, with the CRJ1000 aircraft, Bombardier continues to build on its ongoing commitment to product innovation. The CRJ1000 regional jet combines the proven platform, reliability and flexible cabin configurations of its predecessors with its closest competitor having up to 15 per cent higher trip cash operating costs."

The new CRJ1000 regional jet is scheduled to enter service in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2009. First flight is scheduled for the summer of 2008. With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 91,800 pounds, the CRJ1000 aircraft will offer a maximum range of 1,691 nautical miles with 100 passengers, under certain operating conditions.

Bombardier claims when compared to older generation aircraft of similar passenger capacity now in operation, the CRJ1000 will provide substantially lower fuel consumption, and achieve up to 30 percent reduced carbon dioxide engine emissions.

At the moment, the 100-seat market is all-but-dominated by aged DC-9s, and the variations-on-a-theme MD80-series. Boeing's 717 -- nee, MD95 -- is very similar to those planes, but with more fuel-efficient turbofans. None of those aircraft are produced today.

The CRJ1000 aircraft program is launched with 38 firm orders -- 15 of which are conversions of CRJ900 orders -- and 23 conditional orders and options. The following three customers have placed these orders.

Brit Air of Morlaix, France, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air France, has placed a firm order for eight CRJ1000 aircraft, and has taken options on eight additional CRJ1000 aircraft. Based on CRJ1000 list price, the value of Brit Air's eight firm ordered aircraft is approximately $371 million US which could rise to $768 million US if the airline exercises its eight options.

With the launch of the CRJ1000 aircraft, My Way Airlines of Italy is converting, as announced in September 2006, 15 of its 19 CRJ900 regional jet orders to CRJ1000 regional jets. The original contract value for the 19 CRJ900 aircraft, based on CRJ900 aircraft list price, was approximately $702 million US. This value will increase to approximately $857 million US for four CRJ900 and 15 CRJ1000 aircraft, based on CRJ900 and CRJ1000 aircraft list prices.

An undisclosed customer has placed a firm order for 15 of the aircraft, with a conditional order for an additional 15. Based on CRJ1000 list price, the contract value for this 15 aircraft firm order is approximately $704 million US, which could increase to $1.5 billion US if the airline's 15 conditional orders are executed.

FMI: www.bombardier.com