Company Watch - Bombardier.

For more company news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jul 24, 2006

Demand for turboprops continues to increase along with the cost of fuel, but it is unlikely that any new models will be introduced to the market and there could be a shortage of used turboprops over the next two years, according to Michael Magnusson, president and CEO of Saab Aircraft Leasing. "There isn't any new technology on the horizon," he said. "The cost of developing that outweighs the benefits." For now, lease rates of used turboprops have "bottomed out," he said, and there could be a slight increase. Saab Aircraft Leasing maintains a portfolio of about 200 Saabs with only nine currently available. "You want to have some aircraft on the ground to respond quickly to an airline's needs," he said here. Jul 17, 2006

Bombardier has received, over the past two years, firm orders for 79 Q400s and 75 firm orders for the 86-seat CJ700, reflecting the trend toward larger regional aircraft, McAdoo said. Along with the CSeries, the company continues to evaluate a derivative of the Q400 that would be the first 90-seat turboprop on the market and a stretch version of the CRJ900. Both would offer about 10% lower seat costs than the current models, he said. Jul 17, 2006

Bombardier projects that over the next two decades, airline capacity will nearly double with much of the growth centered on low-cost and Regional operators. Some 11,000 aircraft in the 20/149-seat category valued at $370 billion will be delivered, according to the company's forecast released here yesterday. These include 1,100 in the 20/50-seat range, 4,100 of 60/99 seats and 5,800 100/149-seaters. "The next area where we are looking for growth is the CSeries," said VP-Strategy and Business Development Michael McAdoo, noting that program is still under consideration despite the fact that it has failed to attract a launch customer for the proposed 110/130-seat aircraft. "We are convinced this is the way forward for us." Jul 17, 2006

Caribbean Star Airlines took delivery of the second of four DHC-8-Q300s it is adding to its fleet this year. Jul 20, 2006

Horizon Air converted one option for a DHC-8Q-400 turboprop into a firm order worth $25.4 million at list price. It has 31 of the type on firm order and has acquired two others from Hainan Airlines. Jul 20, 2006

Skyjet international the business jet charter service division of Bombardier hosted perhaps the oddest media briefing at Farnborough. In fact it was not a press conference as such, more a gathering of old friends at a cheese and wine party with a brass band supplying the background music. Not any old brass band mind you. This one was the brass section of the Royal Opera House Orchestra. The connection with Farnborough (other than a splendid rendition of those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines) is that Skyjet International, which claims to be the world's first truly global business jet charter operation, also offers its clients a concierge service which naturally includes some great opera houses, Covent Garden being the obvious choice in the UK. Vertu, the up-market phone company are also involved. From left to right, Alberto Torres, president of Vertu; Judith Moreton, managing director Skyjet International and Jane Storie, Head of Business Development, Royal Opera House. http://www.skyjetinternational.com http://www.vertu.com http://www.royalopera.org Jul 22, 2006