Bombardier to Sell 400 Units of New Jet

Bombardier expects to sell 400 units over the next 20 years of its newly launched CRJ1000, including the 38 firm orders it announced with the launch of the aircraft along with conditional orders and options for more than 60 aircraft. The aircraft, scheduled for service entry in Q4 2009 and first flight in the summer of 2008, is initially destined for the European market since U.S. scope clauses preclude operation by regionals. However, as President Pierre Beaudoin indicated, he expects that to change since it did for the CRJ700 and 900. Bombardier will spend $300 million over the next three years in development costs for the aircraft which promises a 15 percent cost advantage over the Embraer 190, owing to the fact the aircraft’s mean take off weight will be 25,000 pounds lighter.
Boudoin said the new aircraft addresses customer concern and offers increased bin space, larger windows and a better comfort level. Cabin height is six foot two inches and one-class seat pitch will be 31 inches. In a two class configuration capacity will be abut 88 passengers with a 36-inch and 32-inch pitch. It offers 90 percent fleet commonality with the CRJ700/900. The engine remains the same, albeit with more thrust, although the range, at 1,691 nautical miles, will mirror the CRJ900. Bombardier will limit production of the aircraft to small lot sizes of one year each. For related news /