Bombardier delays Learjet 85 first flight due to adverse weather
by The Canadian Press
New business jet was scheduled to fly March 20; will have first test flight as soon as conditions allow
NEW YORK—Bombardier Inc. has delayed the first flight of its new Learjet 85 business jet, which was scheduled for March 20, due to adverse weather.
Chief executive Pierre Beaudoin told an investor conference in New York that the Learjet 85 will have its first test flight “imminently” as conditions allow.
The new business aircraft would join the CSeries commercial jet as new Bombardier products undergoing flight testing before receiving certification and entry into service.
Beaudoin told investors that he is upbeat about 2014 and Bombardier’s future because its investments in new products are about to deliver results as they enter into service.
The Montreal-based transportation company expects its revenues will grow to US$30-billion in five years from US$18.2-billion in 2013.
The entry into service of the Learjet 85 and Global 7000/8000 planes are expected to add up to US$3.5-billion, while the CSeries should deliver US$5- to US$8-billion in revenue.
Beaudoin says he also anticipates that railway division revenues will grow from increased orders in high-margin rolling stock and system/signalling contracts, which together account for 39 per cent of Bombardier’s revenues.
The company also expects services work will contribute one quarter of Bombardier’s revenues in five years, up from 19 per cent last year.
Beaudoin says that’s “a big challenge” given the anticipated growth in overall revenues but can be achieved by acquiring a services business that will benefit customers and generate high returns.
