Bombardier Aerospace Sells Three CRJ700 and Two More CRJ200 Series To Maersk Air.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 1999--

Bombardier Aerospace (TSE:BBD.A.) (ME:BBD.A.) (TSE:BBD.B.) (ME:BBD.B.)

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Maersk Air Ltd. of Birmingham, England has become the U.K. launch customer for the CRJ700 Series regional jet with a firm order for three of the 70-seat aircraft and options on an additional three. Maersk has also ordered two more 50-seat CRJ200 Series regional jets. The orders represent the conversion of existing options for the two aircraft models.

Maersk Air Ltd. is the third European airline and seventh in the world to order the new-generation CRJ700 Series, currently in its flight test program at the Bombardier Flight Test Center in Wichita, Kansas. Certification is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2000.

Value of the Maersk Air Ltd. firm orders is approximately U.S. $120 million (Cdn $174 million).

Maersk Air Ltd., a British Airways franchise partner, was the U.K. launch customer for the CRJ Series in late 1997 when the carrier ordered CRJ200 Series aircraft as part of its fleet replacement program. Total Maersk CRJ Series orders now stand at 13.

"Our CRJ200 Series aircraft have allowed us to offer more flights on more routes and greatly increase the number of passengers we carry," said Gert Kristensen, managing director of Maersk Air Ltd. "It is now time to add 70-seat capacity with the CRJ700 Series on many of the routes developed successfully by the 50-seat CRJ200 Series. The commonality between the two models, especially in the areas of crewing, maintenance, spares and customer support were added incentives in our decision to acquire the CRJ700."

Mr. Kristensen added, "We pride ourselves on being one of the most modern and environmentally-sensitive airlines in Europe with the CRJ200 Series. The CRJ700 Series' low noise and emissions will help us maintain that status."

"We are very pleased that Maersk Air Ltd.'s success with its 50-seat CRJ200 Series aircraft has given the airline the confidence to also launch the CRJ700 Series in the U.K.," said Robert Gillespie, president of Bombardier Aerospace, Regional Aircraft. "We are confident that the 70-seat aircraft's low seat-mile and other operating costs will have the same positive effect on Maersk Air Ltd.'s bottom line."

Today's announcement increases the CRJ700 Series firm order book to 99 aircraft. BRIT AIR of France, launch customer for the CRJ700 Series, has firm orders for four of the aircraft, while Lufthansa of Germany, which put the first 50-seat CRJ100 Series into revenue service in November 1992, has ordered 10. The other carriers which have ordered the CRJ700 Series are American Eagle (25), Atlantic Southeast Airlines (12), COMAIR (20) and Horizon Air (25).

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 Cdn $11.5 billion.

(x) Tradenames of Bombardier Inc.