Aircraft to join 25 others delivered out of order for 31

Bombardier Aerospace has announced that Air Nostrum of Valencia, Spain has signed a follow-on order for 20 additional Bombardier CRJ200(i) 50-seat regional jet aircraft. The order is valued at an estimated $512.6 million U.S.

The contract gives Air Nostrum the right to convert some or all of these aircraft to other members of the Bombardier Regional Aircraft product line, including the CRJ900 and CRJ700 regional jets, or the Bombardier Q400 turboprop.

Air Nostrum has taken delivery of 25 CRJ200 aircraft from an earlier order for 31; the airline also operates 19 50-seat Q300(i) turboprops in its fleet. Delivery of the 20 aircraft announced today will increase the Air Nostrum fleet of Bombardier aircraft to 70, making the airline Europe's largest single operator of Bombardier regional airliners.

"The Bombardier CRJ and Q300 have helped us to become one of the largest and most successful regional airlines in Europe," said Carlos Bertomeu, Chief Executive Officer, Air Nostrum. "We have absolutely no hesitation in selecting more Bombardier aircraft for our future requirements."

"Bombardier is the only company that can provide the full range of regional products and Air Nostrum has proven that the combination of Bombardier regional jet and regional turboprop aircraft can result in increased efficiencies and superior profitability," said Steven A. Ridolfi, President, Bombardier, Regional Aircraft. "We are delighted that Air Nostrum has returned to Bombardier to meet its future requirements."

Air Nostrum is the leading regional airline in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. It operates over 370 daily flights under a franchise agreement with Iberia, serving over 50 destinations throughout eight western European countries. The airline carries about three and a half million passengers a year.

This year, Air Nostrum celebrates its 10th anniversary. Throughout its history the airline has been named Carrier of the Year by the European Regions Airline Association on three occasions (1999/2000, 2002/2003, and 2003/2004), and has received other important awards (Flight International Award, Mercury In Flight Service Award, etc.), which reflect its achievements and successful development.

As of May 31, 2004 the Bombardier CRJ Series program, the largest in regional aircraft history, had received 1,359 firm orders with 1,095 delivered to customers in over 20 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, Europe, North America and South America. Conditional orders and options could boost the CRJ program total to 2506 aircraft.

FMI: www.bombardier.com, www.airnostrum.es (Spanish-language site)