Bombardier Aerospace today celebrated its 300^th Q400 turboprop aircraft, a Q400 NextGen model. The milestone aircraft is the 20th Q400 turboprop to join Toronto-based Porter Airlines’ fleet.

During a special ceremony on Earth Day 2010 at Bombardier’s 1.7 million square-foot facility in Toronto, where the Q400 NextGen aircraft is manufactured, the company spoke of the aircraft’s reduced environmental impact. The lower-emission, fuel-efficient, “Comfortably Greener” Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft provide a balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint. On average, Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft burn 30 per cent less fuel and emit 30 per cent fewer carbon emissions compared to jets that they typically replace.

Porter, which began operations from the renamed Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in October, 2006 with flights to Ottawa, now serves 13 points in Canada and the United States.

At the ceremony, Robert Deluce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines, said: “Bombardier’s Q400 turboprop is one of the foundations that made our growth possible. It is fast, economical to operate, passengers enjoy its comfort and it has very low noise and emissions outputs that make it the ideal aircraft for Toronto’s downtown airport. We remain very proud to be the first Canadian airline to operate this superb made-in-Toronto aircraft.”

Shortly after his comments, Mr. Deluce and the estimated 1,500 guests in attendance watched a special fly-over of another Porter Airlines Q400 NextGen aircraft to mark the occasion.  Born of the Dash 8 aircraft program, the Q400 aircraft stands out as the most successful of its predecessor turboprops and has eclipsed the previous delivery record of 299 set by the Dash 8 Series 100 aircraft.

“The Q400 aircraft has been one of Ontario’s successful global exports and one of the top success stories in regional airline transport since it entered revenue service in 2000,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “As Porter Airlines has shown, Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft are absolutely the best aircraft for short- and medium-haul regional airline market segments. Their speed and comfort allow regional airlines to offer a seamless service for business and pleasure travelers.”  

Bombardier launched the Q400 aircraft in June 1995, and the first aircraft was delivered in January 2000. Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft are now in service with some 30 airlines and other operators in Europe, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific Region, Africa and the Middle East. The worldwide fleet has logged more than 2.5 million hours and over 2.8 million take-off and landing cycles. In addition to their role as regional airliners, Q400 aircraft are also being used in corporate transport and firefighting, and are suitable for an array of missionized operations.

Bombardier has booked firm orders for 363 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft and as of January 31, 2010, 288 had been delivered. Bombardier has also delivered
299 Dash 8-100/Q100, 105 Q200 and 267 Q300 aircraft to operators around the world.

Source: Bombardier