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Air Cote d’lvoire gets two Q400 NextGen aircraft

The purchase agreement between Bombardier and Abidjan-based Air Cote d’Ivoire, which covers two firm-ordered Q400 NextGen aircraft plus two options, was announced on December 18, 2013. Air Cote d’Ivoire is the national airline of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.

The airline has also opted to enroll its Q400 NextGen fleet in Bombardier’s Smart Parts program, which offers competitive and predictable component exchange and repair costs, as well as superior quality and availability of key components. The five-year Smart Parts agreement is customized to meet the airline’s specific operational and performance needs.

As previously announced, based on list price, the contract value for the two Q400 NextGen aircraft is approximately $69 million US. Should Air Cote d’Ivoire’s two options be converted to firm orders, the contract value would increase to $141 million US.

In September 2014, as preparations were being made for the delivery of the aircraft, General Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Chairman and Rene Decurey, Chief Executive Officer of Air Cote d’Ivoire led a delegation to meet with Bombardier’s leadership team in Toronto where the Q400 NextGen aircraft is manufactured. Other attendees at a special ceremony held at that time included His Excellency Gaoussou Toure, Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire; His Excellency N’goran Kouame, Ambassador of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire to Canada; The Honourable Joe Daniel, Member of Parliament for Don Valley East, Ontario; and representatives of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire’s National Civil Aviation Authority.

“As we modernize our fleet and expand our domestic and regional route network, we will benefit from the Q400 NextGen aircraft’s dual-class configuration, which provides a true business class, as well as its outstanding speed, long-range cruise capability and operational flexibility,” said Decurey. “In addition, we expect that the Q400 NextGen aircraft’s fuel efficiency will serve us well in West Africa, where average fuel prices are among the highest in the world and the highest on the continent.”

“We’re delighted to be contributing to Air Cote d’Ivoire’s growth strategy, and look forward to helping the airline launch service as the fifth operator of dual-class Q400 NextGen turboprops in Africa,” said John Kassis, Regional Vice President, Sales, the Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

“Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s successful sales performance in Africa has demonstrated the fit of our commercial aircraft portfolio with the business requirements of operators on the continent. Our Dash 8/Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets have made significant advances in Africa where approximately 160 aircraft – including more than 50 Q400 and Q400 NextGen turboprops – are in service with, or ordered by, approximately 40 customers and operators,” added Kassis.

“With our Smart Parts program, Air Cote d’Ivoire can count on cost predictability, and dispatch availability, which are fundamental to successful airline operations,” said Todd Young, Vice President, Customer Services, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “This program reflects our commitment to the aftermarket relationship with Air Cote d’Ivoire and the value in our manufacturer-designed customer support programs.”

Bombardier’s customer support network for commercial aircraft in Africa includes a Regional Support Office (RSO) and spare parts depot, co-located in Johannesburg, South Africa as well as Authorized Service Facilities in South Africa and Ethiopia. Operating from the company’s regional office located in the United Arab Emirates, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s sales and marketing team is well positioned to provide industry-leading solutions to its current and prospective customers.