Bombardier Aerospace is flying high with the news that Delta Connection has placed a firm order for 32 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200(i) regional jets. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2005. The contract value is estimated at $780 million US and represents the conversion to firm orders of 32 of the 169 options on the Bombardier CRJ200 held by Delta Connection carriers.

Delta Connection, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ASA and Comair, already operates the world's largest Bombardier CRJ fleet with 279 Bombardier CRJ200 and 70-passenger Bombardier CRJ700(i) aircraft in service.

This transaction increases Bombardier CRJ200 and CRJ700 orders placed by Delta Connection, ASA and Comair for the Bombardier CRJ200 and CRJ700 to 329 units. Delta Connection took delivery of the 1,000th Bombardier CRJ(i) aircraft, a CRJ700 delivered to Comair on December 9, 2003.

SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah also flies Bombardier regional jets under the Delta Connection banner. "Bombardier's CRJ allows us to support Delta Air Lines by offering frequent flight selections and convenient service to connect customers in the U.S. and Canada to Delta's hubs and SkyTeam partners," said Fred Buttrell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Delta Connection, Inc. "Regional jet service also supports business activity and economic development in small- and mid-sized metropolitan areas."

"This order is another clear indication that the regional jet success story continues," said Steven A. Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Aerospace, Regional Aircraft. "Delta Connection and its carriers are also proving that no other family of regional jets can offer lower cost, or more efficient and profitable services than those provided by the Bombardier CRJ200 and CRJ700."

Firm orders for the Bombardier CRJ family now stand at 1,356 aircraft.

FMI: www.aero.bombardier.com