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Bombardier and WestJet Encore Celebrate the 500th Q400 Aircraft’s Milestone Delivery

Feted serial number 4500 delivered as the 22nd of 36 Q400 aircraft ordered for the Canadian airline’s fleet


Toronto, ON, Canada – WEBWIRE

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft celebrated the delivery of its 500th Q400 turboprop aircraft to Calgary-based WestJet Encore. The milestone aircraft is one of 36 ordered by WestJet Encore and its parent company WestJet.

During a special ceremony held at Bombardier’s 1.7 million square-foot Toronto facility, where the Q400 aircraft is manufactured, more than 500 WestJetters, Bombardier employees and special guests from the federal and provincial governments were in attendance to celebrate the handover activities.

“Bombardier’s Q400 aircraft has played an instrumental role in WestJet Encore’s growth and success since the start of our operations just two years ago - having recently expanded service to 24 cities in seven provinces in this short time,” said Ferio Pugliese, President, WestJet Encore. “We are thrilled to take home the 500th Canadian-made Q400 aircraft and to have it join our 21-aircraft fleet as we continue to expand to Eastern Canada, expanding route possibilities in those local communities. The Q400 aircraft’s jet-like speed, operational efficiency and reduced environmental footprint fit perfectly with our business model, bringing value and comfort alike to our guests.”

“The Q400 aircraft is proving its operational flexibility right here at home with Canada’s regional airlines, and is also one of Ontario’s greatest export successes,” said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We are proud to be celebrating the delivery of the 500th Q400 aircraft today, and to be sharing this momentous occasion with WestJet Encore -- Canada’s newest airline, and latest aviation success story.”

WestJet Encore launched service in June 2013 operating 10 departures daily to two destinations with two Q400 aircraft and 131 employees. Today, it services 24 cities in seven provinces with 114 daily departures with 21 Q400 aircraft and approximately 500 employees. The airline recently launched Edmonton-Kamloops, Toronto-Québec City, and Toronto-Fredericton services. In July, it will launch Halifax-Sydney service.

About Q Series Aircraft
Designed as a modern, 21st-century turboprop, the Q400 aircraft is the most recent development in the Q Series family of aircraft. It provides unmatched performance, operational flexibility and passenger comfort. While it’s nimble enough for a steep approach, the Q400 aircraft is also tough enough to land on unpaved run­ways. It’s a certified performer at high altitude airports too, like that of La Paz, Bolivia, one of the world’s highest.

Thanks to its combi­nation of turboprop attributes, jet-like features, industry-leading passenger experience and environmental footprint, the Q400 aircraft is exceptionally versatile and can be adapted to a variety of business models. By offering a 30% reduction in fuel burn over the jets it often replaces, the Q400 aircraft radically reduces carbon emissions and increases cost efficiency. Its high-speed cruise -- 160 km/h faster than conventional turboprops -- places the aircraft’s flight time within minutes of jet schedules, at the same seat cost as larger single-aisle jets. Its large propellers operate at a lower RPM, generating more power with less noise and making it a friendly option for city centres.

The Q400 aircraft family includes over 60 owners and operators in almost 40 countries worldwide and the worldwide fleet has logged more than 6 million flight hours. The aircraft has transported more than 370 million passengers worldwide.

Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 546 Q400 aircraft.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, we posted revenues of $20.1 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.


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