Bombardier Aerospace today announced that its purchase agreement with Abidjan-based airline, Air Côte d’Ivoire, is now firm. The transaction, which was announced as a conditional purchase agreement on November 18 during the Dubai Airshow, covers two Q400 NextGen aircraft with options for an additional two. Air Côte d’Ivoire is the national airline of Ivory Coast.

As previously announced, based on list price, the contract value for two firm-ordered Q400 NextGen aircraft is approximately $69 million US. Should the two options be converted to firm orders, the contract value would increase to $141 million US.

During the Airshow, René Decurey, Chief Executive Officer, Air Côte d’Ivoire said: “The dual-class-configured Q400 NextGen aircraft is ideally suited for our market; it will support passengers’ requirements and integrate well into our fleet. We will capitalize on the Q400 NextGen aircraft’s outstanding performance – including its high speed and long-range cruise capability – as we look to modernize our fleet and expand our domestic and regional route network. Additionally, in West Africa, where average fuel prices are among the highest in the world and the highest on the continent, the fast, fuel-efficient Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner is the most cost effective and flexible regional aircraft solution for our operations.”

“The Q400 NextGen aircraft is performing extremely well in Africa, where we now have 14 customers and operators, and more than 50 aircraft in service or on order,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We are very encouraged by our sales performance on the continent, having captured 100 per cent market share over the last two years in the 20- to 99-seat turboprop segment.

“We’re delighted to be contributing to Air Côte d’Ivoire’s growth strategy, and look forward to helping the airline launch service with its Q400 NextGen aircraft,” said Mr. Arcamone.

Bombardier’s Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets have made significant advances in Africa to the point where these commercial aircraft now comprise 50 per cent share of the fleet of 37- to 120-seat aircraft on the continent, with approximately 160 aircraft in service, or on order, by more than 40 operators.

Bombardier’s customer support network for commercial aircraft in Africa includes a Regional Support Office (RSO) and spare parts depot, co-located in Johannesburg, South Africa as well as Authorized Service Facilities in South Africa and Ethiopia. A transitional Bombardier manufacturing facility, which produces simple structures including flight controls for the CRJ Series aircraft is located in Nouaceur in the Greater Casablanca region in Morocco. Construction of a 150,000 square foot (13,935 square metre) Bombardier permanent facility in Nouaceur began in September 2013.

Including the order announced today, Bombardier has booked 480 firm orders for Q400 and Q400 NextGen turboprops.

Bombardier press release