Bombardier Kicks Off Q400 NextGen Airliner Demonstration Flights in the Latin American Region at FIDAE Air Show in Chile
Bombardier Aerospace’s technologically advanced Q400 NextGen airliner will start a series of demonstration flights in Chile and Peru around the 2012 FIDAE airshow where the aircraft will be on static display in Santiago, Chile. The air show is the largest in Latin America and runs from March 27 to April 1. The Q400 NextGen aircraft, which features a custom “Get More” livery that reflects its outstanding performance, economics, passenger comfort and environmental consciousness, will also travel to Peru after the air show.
“The demonstration flights will provide many opportunities to showcase our Q400 NextGen aircraft to potential customers who are eager to experience the airliner first-hand,” said Kevin Smith, Vice President, Americas Sales, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Q400 NextGen aircraft’s fuel efficiency, operational flexibility, low-cost operation, reduced environmental impact and onboard passenger experience, position it as an outstanding solution for regional air transport in Latin America.
“In addition, the Q400 NextGen aircraft’s high rate of climb, single-engine service ceiling and optional drop-down oxygen system are important factors that contribute to its suitability for Chile and other mountainous regions,” added Mr. Smith.
Latin America is experiencing robust economic growth that is projected to continue with the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics being held in Brazil. These major international sporting events are spurring regional growth, including investment in secondary aviation infrastructure, and the development of low-fare carriers, providing wider access to affordable air travel.
Some low-fare carriers have started utilizing smaller regional jet and turboprop aircraft to access secondary or tertiary markets. Starting from a base of nearly 1,000 commercial aircraft located in the region currently, Bombardier’s 20-year commercial aviation market forecast projects deliveries of 1,000 units in the 20- to 149-seat category to Latin America and the Caribbean (including Mexico) through 2030. More than 60 per cent of the deliveries are expected to be in the 100- to 149-seat segment, while most of the remainder will be in the 60- to 99-seat segment, according to the forecast. Currently, more than 60 Bombardier Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets are in service in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bombardier has booked firm orders for 428 Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners. The delivered aircraft are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries, on six continents. These aircraft have transported more than 177 million passengers and have logged more than 3.2 million flight hours and over 3.5 million take-offs and landings.
About Q400 NextGen aircraft
The Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner, which is built at Bombardier’s Toronto, Ontario facility, is the most recent development in the evolution of the Q400 aircraft, and the advanced successor to Bombardier’s Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft. Optimized for short-haul operations, the “comfortably greener,” 70- to 80-seat Q400 NextGen aircraft is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient turboprop. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint.
The Q400 NextGen aircraft features an enhanced cabin environment with the introduction of LED lighting, new ceiling panels, dished window sidewalls and larger overhead luggage bins. These features, combined with the aircraft’s Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system, provide an excellent cabin experience for passengers.
Setting new environmental standards, 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. Importantly too, the Q400 turboprop’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), located in the tail of the aircraft, vents its exhaust and noise upward, resulting in a better operating environment for ground crews. Overall, the Q400 aircraft is 15 decibels quieter than ICAO Chapter 4 noise standards; raising the bar for the entire industry. The Q400 aircraft is also participating in biofuel test programs that could make a significant contribution in reducing aviation's carbon footprint.
The Q400 airliner is the fastest new-technology turboprop, providing both jet speed and turboprop fuel efficiency. The Q400 turboprop therefore delivers the best flexibility and overall operating economics in its market segment. This allows airlines to successfully deploy the aircraft in a variety of markets ranging from typical short-haul turboprop markets to longer-haul jet replacement opportunities.
Although the Q400 aircraft traditionally operates on routes of less than 500 NM, it is the only turboprop that has the speed and range to be deployed on routes over 1,000 NM. The Q400 aircraft’s maximum cruise speed of 360 knots lets the aircraft fly on demand-driven interchangeable schedules with jets. But, throttle back to 280 knots and the Q400 aircraft is as fuel efficient as any other turboprop on a per-seat basis, while still maintaining some speed advantage.
The Q400 aircraft is the only turboprop approved for single-engine approaches in Cat. IIIa weather conditions when equipped with a Head-up Guidance System. The Q400 aircraft is also the only turboprop currently meeting Required Navigation Performance (RNP) standards, which is advantageous when operating in mountainous regions and confined airspace.
Q400 aircraft are proving their high value by operating in all kinds of diverse environments – cold weather conditions in Canada and Eastern Europe; arid environments in the Middle East and Northern Africa; and the humid environments in Western North America and sub-Saharan Africa.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, were $18.3 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
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