Bombardier Delivers CRJ No. 500 to Atlantic Coast Airlines.

Business Editors

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2001

Bombardier Aerospace (TSE:BBD.A.) (TSE:BBD.B.) today delivered the milestone 500th production CRJ*, a 50-seat Series 200 model, to Dulles, Virginia-based Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA).

It was the carrier's 43rd delivery from a firm order for 96 of the 50-seat regional jets. ACA holds options on an additional 80 CRJ aircraft.

The aircraft was accepted by Kerry Skeen, chairman and chief executive officer, and Tom Moore, president and chief operating officer, of ACA at a special handover ceremony at the ACA hangar facility at Washington Dulles International Airport. They were presented with a ceremonial key to the aircraft, Serial Number 7500, by John Giraudy, senior vice-president, sales at Bombardier Aerospace Regional Aircraft.

"The CRJ airliner program is about 10 years old now and the 500th airliner is something of an achievement because a lot of people didn't believe there was a market for this kind of airliner," said Steven Ridolfi, president of Bombardier Aerospace, Regional Aircraft. "They didn't think we would go past 400 airplanes in ten years. In fact, considering orders and options for all versions of the CRJ, our program now totals 2,105 aircraft. And along the way, the CRJ revolutionized the regional airline industry."

Mr. Skeen said, "The CRJ and our relationship with Bombardier have not only become a major element in our fleet plan, but a foundation of our entire business plan. We believe the continuing partnership will serve both companies extremely well for many years to come."

Delivery of the 500th CRJ came not quite 10 years after the rollout of the first CRJ, on May 6, 1991.

The original CRJ100* Series has since grown to four models: 50-seat CRJ100 and 200, 70-seat CRJ700* and 86-seat CRJ900*. The first CRJ700 entered revenue service with Brit Air of France in February, 2001. The CRJ900 is currently in flight test and is scheduled for certification in the third quarter of 2002 with customer deliveries to begin in the first quarter 2003.

As of today, 35 operators in 16 countries or territories have accepted delivery of 500 CRJ aircraft, of which 300 aircraft are in the U.S. The firm order backlog is 545 aircraft. Conditional orders and options for 1,060 CRJ aircraft raise the program total to 2,105 aircraft, making it the best-selling regional airliner of all time.

Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is the leading business, regional and amphibious aircraft manufacturer. With full design and production capabilities in three countries, it offers the most comprehensive families of turboprop and regional jet aircraft and the widest range of business jets. It also provides the Flexjet(R) fractional business aircraft ownership program, technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot training for business, regional airline and military customers.

Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company, is a world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational products. It is also a provider of financial services and asset management. The Corporation employs 58,000 people in 12 countries in North America, Europe and Asia, and more than 90% of its revenues are generated outside Canada. Bombardier's revenues for its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2001 totalled $16.1 billion.

(R) Registered Trademarks of Bombardier Inc.

* Trademarks of Bombardier Inc.

Note to Editors: Image of today's event will be available on our web site photo gallery at: www.aero.bombardier.com/htmen/F15.htm