Q400 airliner becomes largest Western-manufactured turboprop aircraft to obtain approval to operate in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

Bombardier Aerospace confirmed today that the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) ? commonly known by its Russian acronym, MAK ? has awarded aircraft type approval to Bombardier’s Q400 turboprop for operation in Russia and the CIS.

“As part of Bombardier’s global expansion strategy, Russia and the CIS are key international growth markets. The type approval of the Q400 aircraft by the IAC is therefore a significant milestone in our growing presence in the region,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Q400 aircraft will deliver great performance and flexibility for operators seeking to meet the unique environmental challenges and longer distances in Russia and the CIS.”

The Type Certificate was presented to Bombardier today in a ceremony at IAC headquarters in Moscow. The ceremony was witnessed by Ms. Tatiana Anodina, Chairperson of the IAC; the Honourable Ed Fast, the Canadian Minister of International Trade, who was in Moscow leading a Canadian Trade Mission to Russia; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada in the Russian Federation, Mr. John Sloan and Bombardier executives.

“Today’s announcement is good news for both Canada and Russia as we work to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for hard-working people in both our countries,” said Minister Fast. “It is also an example of how world-class Canadian companies are succeeding in Russia and other dynamic and fast-growing markets around the world.”

“Russian carriers have been using Bombardier regional aircraft since 2003,” said Steven Aliment, Vice President Sales, Europe, Russia and CIS, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Currently, more than 80 Bombardier Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets are in service in Russia and the CIS and we’re pleased that the Q400 turboprops will soon be joining the local fleet, and deepening our commitment to the Russia and CIS markets.”

Type approval from the IAC for the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ100/200 aircraft was obtained in 2006. Since then, there has been a significant increase in the number of Dash 8/Q-Series and CRJ100/200 aircraft operated by Russian and CIS airlines located in Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Kazakhstan.

Starting from a base of approximately 800 commercial aircraft in the 20- to 149-seat category that are currently operating in the region, Bombardier’s 20-year commercial aviation market forecast projects deliveries of 460 units in this market segment to Russia and the CIS through to 2030. These projected deliveries amount to one-fifth of the total demand for Europe according to the forecast.

Bombardier has booked firm orders for 428 Q400 airliners. The delivered aircraft are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries, on six continents. These aircraft have transported more than 177 million passengers and have logged more than 3.2 million flight hours and over 3.5 million take-offs and landings.

Source and photo: Bombardier