Bombardier Gets Orders From Abu Dhabi Aviation, Iraqi Airways, Nok Air

A Q400 aircraft in Alaska Airlines livery

Bombardier Aerospace announced new aircraft orders from three airlines at the Dubai Air Show.

Abu Dhabi Aviation said it will order two Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft; Iraqi Airways, the national airline of Iraq, will acquire five CS300 mainline jets; and Nok Air, a low-cost Thai carrier, will order two Q400 NextGen planes.

The value of the Abu Dhabi deal is approximately $70 million.  The Iraqi Airways deal includes options on 11 additional CS300 planes, with a potential value of $1.26 billion.

Nok Air, which is taking options on two additional Q400s, will be the launch customer for a new Q400 seating option that will allow the aircraft to hold up to 86 passengers.  This deal is valued at up to $258 million.

Other orders recorded at the show include an order from Air Côte d’Ivoire, the national airline of Ivory Coast, for two Q400s with an option for two more, and an order from Palma Holding Limited, a lessor, for up to eight two-class Q400s.  Palma said it plans to lease four of these aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines.

The Air Côte d’Ivoire deal has a potential value of $141 million, and the Palma deal would be worth as much as $282 million with all options exercised.

The Bombardier Q400 was launched in 1984 and was originally known as the de Havilland Canada Dash 8.  In its standard configuration, it can accommodate up to 78 passengers.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)