Deal Had Been Announced Just A Few Days Ago As An Anonymous Buyer

Bombardier Aerospace confirmed Wednesday that Ethiopian Airlines is the customer that placed the firm order for five Q400 NextGen airliners announced on February 13, 2012. Two of the five aircraft will be operated by Ethiopian Airlines and three by its affiliate, ASKY Airlines of Togo. Ethiopian Airlines, the flag carrier of Ethiopia and one of Africa's leading airlines, serves 64 international destinations. The order announced today will increase the number of Q400 NextGen airliners purchased by Ethiopian Airlines to 13. Based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen airliner, the transaction is valued at approximately $160 million.

"The Q400 NextGen airliner has fully met our expectations for economics, performance and passenger acceptance," said Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines. "Of great importance to us is the aircraft's high rate of climb, single-engine service ceiling and higher take-off weight, thus greater payload, when operating from our high altitude-hot weather airports."

"Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have been gaining headway in Africa, where Ethiopian Airlines and ten other operators now have more than 40 of these aircraft in service or on firm order," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "Q400 aircraft are proving their high value in both the arid environment of Northern Africa and the moist environment in sub-Saharan Africa."

Altogether, more than 200 Bombardier-produced CRJ Series regional jets and Q-Series turboprops are on firm order or in service in Africa and the Middle East.

FMI: www.bombardier.com