Bombardier's Q400 Wins Transport Canada Certification; Jet-like speeds and the best turboprop economics.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 1999--

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that its new 350-knot (648 km/h), 66- to 78-seat Q400 turboprop airliner has been awarded its Transport Canada type certificate. The Q400 is on static display opposite the Bombardier Chalet, No. 360 in Row A.

The certification, to Transport Canada CAR 525, Amendment 86 came just 48 months after the official launch of the Q400 program at the Paris Air Show in June 1995. U.S. certification to FAR 25, Amendment 86 is expected in about a month, with European Joint Airworthiness Authority JAR 25, Change 14 approval to follow during the summer.

The extensive certification program involved five flight test aircraft which accumulated about 1,900 flight hours in more than 1,400 test missions. During the flight test program, the Q400 exceeded its original performance expectations in several key areas. It flies 10 knots (18.5 km) faster than its 350-knot design speed, fuel flows in the Pratt & Whitney PW150A engines are 1.8% lower and rate of climb is higher.

"A new and revolutionary era in regional airline transportation will now begin," said Robert Gillespie, president, Bombardier Aerospace, Regional Aircraft. "With the Q400, airlines will, for the first time, have an aircraft with jet-like speeds and turboprop economics. And with the Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system pioneered so successfully on our other Q Series aircraft, Q400 passengers will enjoy jet-like quiet and comfort as well."

Q400 deliveries will begin this fall to early customers UNI Airways of Taiwan, which has selected a 78-seat interior, SAS Commuter of Copenhagen, Denmark, which will have both 72- and 74-seat interiors, and Tyrolean Airways of Austria, which has chosen a 74-seat configuration.

The Q400 promises to be a valuable addition to regional airline fleets. In a 74-seat configuration, it requires just 22 filled seats to break even; the remaining 52 seats are profit.

As of June 14, 1999, the Q400 had attracted 123 orders and options from nine airlines: Augsburg Airways (Germany), Changan Airlines (China); Horizon Air (U.S.); Jersey European Airways (U.K.); Rheintalflug (Austria); SAS Commuter (Denmark); Tyrolean Airways (Austria); UNI Air (Taiwan); and Wideroe's (Norway).

Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is the world's third largest civil aircraft manufacturer with operations in three countries. Leading the 20- to 70-passenger regional carrier market, Bombardier Aerospace offers complete families of turboprop and regional jet aircraft. It has the industry's widest range of business jets, offering both full and fractional ownership, and also produces firefighting/maritime mission aircraft. It provides technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot training to business, regional airline and military customers.

Bombardier Inc. is a Canadian corporation active in the fields of aerospace, rail transportation equipment, recreational products, financial services and services related to its products and core businesses. It operates plants in 12 countries in North America, Europe and Asia, and more than 90 per cent of its revenues are generated outside Canada. Bombardier's revenues for its fiscal year ended January 31, 1999 totalled $11.5 billion (Cdn).

Internet address: www.aero.bombardier.com