Libyan Airlines’ Parent Orders More CRJ900 NextGens

Tripoli-based Libyan African Aviation Holding Company has signed a firm order for three Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen regional jets and has also taken options on an additional three CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.

The aircraft will be operated by Libyan Airlines, a subsidiary of Libyan African Aviation Holding Company.

Based on the list price for the CRJ900 NextGen, Bombardier Aerospace values the contract at approximately US$131.5 million, which could increase to $267.8 million should all three options be converted to firm orders.

Libyan Airlines is a repeat customer for the Bombardier CRJ900 regional jet, operating three CRJ900s and two CRJ900 NextGens and placing a repeat order for three CRJ900 NextGens on October 7, 2010. This order also includes options for three more CRJ900 NextGens

Libyan Airlines already operates three CRJ900s and two CRJ900 NextGens. All of the airline’s CRJ900s are outfitted in two-class configuration with seven business-class and 68 economy-class seats. The airline’s previous orders for CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGens were announced on June 14, 2007 and January 3, 2008 respectively.

“This acquisition of modern, state-of-the-art CRJ900 NextGen aircraft is a part of the continuing fleet renewal program for Libyan Airlines,” says Captain Sabri Shadi, chairman of Libyan African Aviation Holding Company. “The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft will provide lower operating costs, increased passenger comfort and reduced environmental impact compared to Libyan Airlines’ older jet aircraft.”

Including the order from Libyan African Aviation Holding Company announced on October 7, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 1,706 CRJ-series aircraft, including 259 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. As of July 31, 2010, 1,597 CRJ-series aircraft, including 234 CRJ900s and CRJ900 NextGens, had been delivered to customers around the world.

CRJ-series aircraft are in service with more than 60 airlines and have logged more than 28 million flight hours and more than 23 million take-off and landing cycles. In addition, corporate variants of CRJ-series aircraft are in service with more than 30 operators.