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Abu Dhabi Aviation was previous Q400 customer: Bombardier

July 15, 2014, Farnborough, U.K. - Bombardier Aerospace has confirmed at the Farnborough International Airshow that a firm order for two Q400 NextGen aircraft, which was previously announced on April 23, 2014, was placed by Abu Dhabi-based, Abu Dhabi Aviation.


July 15, 2014  By Carey Fredericks

A longtime Bombardier customer, Abu Dhabi Aviation is the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East. The operator's current fleet also includes one Q400 aircraft, one Dash 8/Q300 aircraft and two Dash 8/Q200 turboprops. The carrier's main activities relate to the support of offshore oil, engineering and construction companies.

As previously announced, based on the list price for the Q400 NextGen aircraft, the firm order contract is valued at approximately US$62 million.

"The Q400 NextGen turboprop is ideally suited for the Emirates environment," said Nadir Al Hammadi, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Aviation. "The Q400 and the enhanced Q400 NextGen aircraft have proven they can handle our hot desert environment with ease. The aircraft's built-in flexibility – a Bombardier design strength – allows us to diversify our business model and offer a broader range of services to our clients."

"As demand for commercial aircraft continues to accelerate within the Middle East, we are pleased to demonstrate the importance of this dynamic market and the opportunities for placing our superior turboprop with an operator like Abu Dhabi Aviation," said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The Q400 NextGen aircraft is a superior turboprop that provides Abu Dhabi Aviation with the opportunity to expand its networks and market potential, and is especially suitable to operate in the world's most demanding climatic conditions."

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"Of great importance to our customers is the flexibility offered by the Q400 NextGen aircraft," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The Q400 NextGen aircraft's higher take-off weight, thus greater payload, when operating from high altitude-hot weather airports makes it ideal for operating out of some of the most challenging airports in the region."

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