Bombardier Aerospace tells ANN that Northwest Airlines has exercised options for 10 Bombardier CRJ200 series regional jets for its Northwest Airlink operation. This represents the conversion of 10 of the airline’s 175 options on the Bombardier CRJ. Northwest has indicated that the aircraft will be operated by Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.

The transaction increases the number of firm orders from Northwest Airlines to 139 Bombardier CRJ aircraft, of which 109 had been delivered as of September 30, 2004.

“We are delighted that Northwest Airlines is expanding the deployment of the Bombardier CRJ within its Airlink route system,” said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. “The flexibility and economics of regional jets allow major airlines such as Northwest to provide new services or increased frequencies to various markets that support an aircraft of this size.”

As of September 30, 2004, the Bombardier CRJ program had secured firm orders for 1,410 aircraft, of which 1,150 had been delivered. Conditional orders and options bring the program total to 2,608 aircraft.

FMI: www.bombardier.com