Qantas, Unidentified European Airline Sign For Up To 56 Planes

Bombardier Aerospace has reason for cheer this week, as the Canadian planemaker won two new orders for its Q400 turboprop airliner, despite recent attention concerning the aircraft's maingear.

Bombardier told ANN it has signed firm order for 10 Q400s, as well as options on 10 more, with an unspecified European airline. The carrier, which asked to remain unidentified at this time, will be a first-time operator of the type. If all options are exercised, value of the contract would be approximately $540 million US.

Also on Wednesday, Qantas Airways announced it is finalizing an agreement with Bombardier Aerospace to add as many as 36 Q400s to the QantasLink regional airline operation in Australia. The agreement is expected to include firm orders for 12 Q400s, and options and purchase rights for an additional 24, subject to signature of the formal agreement.

Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon said the 72-seat Q400 aircraft was central to QantasLink's growth strategy. QantasLink expects to utilize the new aircraft to increase capacity and frequency on key routes. The airline currently operates seven Q400 aircraft and another two ordered in January 2007 are to be delivered in January 2008.

"Qantas' selection of the Q400 airliner to meet their growth requirements is further evidence of the aircraft's outstanding performance and economics," said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. "We are grateful for Qantas' continuing confidence in the Q400 aircraft."

As ANN reported, the Q400 was subject to scrutiny -- and a Transport Canada airworthiness directive -- following two incidents involving the right main landing gear (MLG) legs on two Q400s flying for Scandinavian Airlines, over the course of three days in September.

The manufacturer immediately called for checks of MLG assemblies on higher-time Q400s; Transport Canada expanded on that, with required visual inspections on all Q400s.

FMI: www.bombardier.com