Bombardier Delivers First High-Speed Q400 Turboprop to North American Launch Customer Horizon Air.

Business Editors

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2001

Bombardier Aerospace (TSE:BBD.A.)(TSE:BBD.B.) has delivered the first of 15 70-seat Q400 turboprop airliners to North American launch customer, Seattle-based Horizon Air.

The carrier will have a fleet of 15 Q400s by year-end and holds options for an additional 15.

Horizon's first Q400, expected to enter service in mid-February, arrived at the airline's operational base in Portland, Oregon following a ferry flight from Toronto where Bombardier's Q Series turboprops are manufactured. The aircraft will undertake a series of proving runs prior to entering regularly scheduled service.

"The Q400 provides a winning combination: the speed and comfort of a jet and the economics of a turboprop," said George Bagley, Horizon Air president and CEO. "We look forward to its economic advantages - particularly in the midst of skyrocketing fuel costs - as well as the flexibility its 70 seats bring to our network. And, our customers will have something to look forward to as well. The noise and vibration suppression system, popular on our Q200 fleet, means a quieter ride and leg room throughout the plane will be comparable to most first class cabins," he said.

"We are proud to have Horizon Air as our Q400 launch customer in North America," said Steve Ridolfi, president, Bombardier Aerospace, Regional Aircraft. "Horizon has been a valued customer since 1985 and we look forward to continuing this relationship with their showcase Q400 service in the U.S. northwest. We are confident the Q400's superb economics, with the lowest seat-mile cost and lowest breakeven load factor in its class, will help Horizon increase its profitability," he said.

The specific routes on which Horizon's Q400 will operate have not been finalized. As the aircraft arrive this year, Horizon will gradually retire its 37-seat Dash 8-100 turboprops while retaining its newer 37-seat Q200 turboprops.

Founded in 1981, Horizon operates more than 550 daily flights serving 40 cities throughout five western states and Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc.

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 56,000 people 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 Jan. 31, 2000, totalled Cdn$13.6 billion.

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Note to Editors: Images of Q400 aircraft in Horizon Air livery are available on our website photo gallery at: www.aerospace.bombardier.com/htmen/F12.htm