And from Bombardier's website
12:11am (UK)
Bombardier Signs Air New Zealand for 17 Q300 Turboprops
"PA"
Business Editors
TORONTO – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Oct. 10, 2004 – Options on Additional Q300 and Q400 Aircraft Bring Potential
Order to 40 Turboprop Airliners
Bombardier Aerospace (TSX:BBD.A) (TSX:BBD.B) announced today that
Air New Zealand, a Star Alliance partner, has signed a contract to acquire 17 Bombardier Q300 50-seat turboprop aircraft.
In addition to this firm order, the contract includes options on an additional 10 Q300 and 13 Bombardier Q400 70-seat aircraft. The 17 firm Q300 aircraft will be operated by Air New Zealand’s wholly owned regional airline, Air Nelson, which operates domestic services as Air New Zealand Link.
The firm orders are valued at approximately USD269.5 million US, which could increase to USD716.0 million US if all options are exercised. Deliveries will begin in 2005.
“The Bombardier Q300 aircraft offer an ideal combination of economy, efficiency and performance,“ said Ralph Norris, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Air New Zealand. “Our passengers will be especially delighted by the Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system that provides the quietest, most comfortable cabin of any regional aircraft.”
“Air New Zealand is known for the thoroughness with which it assesses potential aircraft acquisitions so we are delighted that our Bombardier Q300 have been selected as the superior choice to meet the airline’s requirements,“ said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. “With some 700 aircraft in service around the world, the Dash 8/Q Series have earned an enviable reputation for reliability, economy and passenger appeal. We are confident they will do so in the Air New Zealand fleet.
“This order further solidifies Bombardier’s dominant position in the regional aircraft market in the Asia/Pacific region,“ Mr. Ridolfi added. “Airlines in 12 countries in the region operate more than 170 Bombardier regional aircraft, with more than 50 of our turboprops in Australia and New Zealand alone.”
Air New Zealand will be the ninth Star Alliance partner airline to operate Bombardier Q Series turboprops or CRJ regional jets, joining Adria Airways, Air Canada Jazz, Air Nippon Network Ltd., Austrian arrows, Lufthansa Regional, SAS Commuter, United Express and US Airways Express. These airlines operate or have ordered more than 600 Bombardier regional aircraft.
Interesting that neither release mentions , "The order includes a simulator to be based in ___________", although I think that with options for 10 more Q300s as well as 13 Q400s it's a fairly safe bet that Auckland will have some more sim technology arriving next year, or early-mid 2006 when the first crews start needing their 6 month checks alongside the new rating training.
When do we think Auckland airport is going to start rebuilding the domestic side of things, now that they know what wingspan and turning radius they have to allow for? Bring on the confusion!
Lots of
faces as the once-a-year travellers get lost finding the right flights!
Some good names in the list of other operators too, to paraphrase Han Solo, "I've got a good feeling about this".