• Middle East and Africa-based customer selects the performance-enhanced CRJ900 NextGen aircraft which now offers up to 5.5 per cent lower fuel consumption

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that a customer, who has requested to remain unidentified at this time, has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 12 CRJ900 NextGen regional jets.

Based on the list price for the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, a firm order for up to 12 CRJ900 NextGen aircraft would have a value of approximately $563 million US.

“A key factor contributing to our customer’s CRJ900 NextGen regional jet selection is the ongoing improvements to the aircraft’s cost efficiency. Recent enhancements to the aircraft allow it to offer up to 5.5 per cent lower fuel consumption, which positions it far ahead of announced competitive, in-production jets in the same seat class. Bombardier set the performance benchmark for aircraft in this category and we’re constantly moving that benchmark forward – which is a big reason for its success,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We look forward to closing this deal and welcoming yet another customer to the more than 90 that currently operate CRJ Series around the world in a diverse range of markets.”

In total, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for 1,812 CRJ Series aircraft, including 339 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide, CRJ Series aircraft are in service with more than 60 airlines and more than 30 customers operate corporate variants of the aircraft. The aircraft are operating in over 50 countries on six continents, and on average, a CRJ aircraft takes off every 10 seconds somewhere in the world. CRJ Series aircraft have transported more than 1.4 billion passengers and have logged more than 38 million flight hours and over 32 million takeoffs and landings.

CRJ900 NextGen aircraft
Like other members of the CRJ Series family of aircraft, the light weight and advanced aerodynamics of the CRJ900 NextGen regional jet combine to deliver improved efficiency and reduced operating costs compared to other aircraft in its class. Since the launch of the earlier-generation CRJ900 aircraft, enhancements to the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft have resulted in a 5.5 per cent fuel burn reduction, and up to 5.0 per cent lower fuel burn compared to announced competitive, in-production jets in the same seat class. All CRJ NextGen aircraft feature new interiors with larger overhead luggage bins, larger windows, improved LED cabin lighting and redesigned ceiling panels and sidewalls.