Qantas and Bombardier Aerospace, headquartered in Canada, have sealed a deal for the purchase of seven new Q400 NextGen aircraft to be delivered from 2011.
The new aircraft will be operated by Qantas’ regional airline subsidiary, QantasLink, which operates more than 2000 flights each week to 54 destinationa across Australia.
The contract, which is valued at approximately US$218 million, will see the Q400 NextGen aircraft equipped with upgraded cabin interiors and larger overhead compartments.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Alan Joyce, said: “The aircraft really suits QantasLink’s operations and is extremely popular with the airline’s customers. We have therefore made the decision to acquire another seven aircraft for delivery from the
first half of 2011.”
Joyce said the airline had invested over A$600 million in 21 Bombardier Q400 aircraft over the last four years, representing a significant commitment to the Group’s regional operations and increased capacity on existing routes. As part of its commitment to investigate further network growth, QantasLink recently began international aircraft Q400 aircraft services between Cairns and Papua New Guinea.
Gary R Scott, President of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, said: “Bombardier Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners are replacing or complementing jet services, replacing smaller and older turboprops, and reaching out to new markets while providing a superb passenger experience and cost-competitive advantage to operators.”
Launched in March 2008, the Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400 aircraft, and the advanced successor to the Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint.
Bombardier has also delivered 300 out of a total of 385 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft as part of an additional order from Qantas.
