Australia's Qantas expand fleet with Canada's Bombardier Q400s

AUSTRALIA's Qantas and Canada's Bombardier Aerospace have finalised a US$218 million purchase of seven new Q400 NextGen aircraft to be delivered by Bombardier from 2011 for operation by Qantas' regional airline subsidiary QantasLink based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen aircraft.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the Q400 aircraft had become the mainstay of QantasLink's regional fleet with the next-generation to be equipped with upgraded cabin interiors and larger overhead compartments, the purchase will allow for increased capacity on existing routes.

"Qantas has invested over A$600 million (US$534.8 million) in 21 Bombardier Q400 aircraft over the last four years," he said in a company statement.

"Bombardier Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners are replacing or complementing jet services, replacing smaller and older turboprops, and reaching out to new markets while providing a superb passenger experience and cost-competitive advantage to operators," said Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Gary Scott.

Including the order, Bombardier has booked firm orders for a total of 385 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft and as of April this year, 300 had been delivered. Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft are now in service with more than 30 airlines and other operators.

QantasLink operates over 2000 flights each week to 54 destinations across Australia and has recently begun international Q400 aircraft services between Cairns and Papua New Guinea.
(Source:www.schednet.com)