Bombardier, WestJet ink deal for up to $1.59-billion in aircraft
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Deal will see as many as 45 Q400 NextGen turboprops delivered to Calgary-based airline
Toronto—WestJet has signed a conditional order with Bombardier Aerospace for as many as 45 Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft worth up to $1.59-billion.
The order comes after WestJet signed a letter of intent on the deal May 1, 2012.
Built at Bombardier’s Toronto facility, the Q400 NextGen is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400 aircraft, the successor to Bombardier’s Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft.
Optimized for short-haul operations, the Q400 aircraft uses 30 to 40 per cent less fuel and produces 30 to 40 per cent fewer emissions on routes where it has replaced similar-capacity, older jets.
The Q400 aircraft’s maximum cruise speed of 360-knots lets the aircraft fly on demand-driven interchangeable schedules with jets.
According to Bombardier, its Aeropsace division has booked 428 Q400 and Q400 NextGen orders.
WestJet is Canada’s second largest passenger airline.
