Nearly 250 of the regional jets operated on the American Eagle network ‒ into which the US Airways Express regional network will be absorbed as the US Airways name gradually disappears ‒ will have in-flight wireless Internet service installed by 2016.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has won firm sales on March 31 from three airlines for three more CRJ900 NextGen regional jets and four more Q400 NextGen turboprop regional airliners, and has booked options on four more Q400 NextGens.
The manufacturer announced the deal on the first day of the Singapore Airshow 2014. Based on the list price for the Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen, the manufacturer values a firm order for up to 12 CRJ900 NextGen regional jets at approximately US$563 million.
Based on the list price for the Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen, the manufacturer values the firm order at approximately US$1.42 billion. This could increase to approximately US$3.38 billion if American Airlines converts the 40 options into firm orders.
Bombardier Aerospace has delivered the first of six CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets ordered by PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, the aircraft’s launch customer in the Asia-Pacific region. Garuda also intends to operate 12 additional, leased Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen regional jets.
As previously announced, and based on the list price of the Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen, the manufacturer values the firm order contract at approximately US$264 million. This could increase to approximately US$491 million should the airline convert its five options to firm orders.
Garuda’s 12 leased CRJ1000 NextGens, plus six ordered directly from Bombardier in February, will result in the airline operating a fleet of 18 of the jets. Should the airline also convert the 18 options it has taken with Bombardier, its fleet of CRJ1000 NextGens would increase to 36.
Based in Kigali in Rwanda, RwandAir will become the first Bombardier CRJ900 operator in Eastern Africa. Bombardier Aerospace values Rwandair’s firm order at approximately US$89 million, based on the list price of the CRJ900 NextGen.
Bombardier says the conditional order for six Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen regional jets and options on an additional five will build upon China Express Airlines’ existing fleet of CRJ200s, serving to enhance the airline’s regional network.
