Page 37 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2016 Online Magazine

NEWS

Bell Helicopter Delivers First Bombardier Bags China Express Order for 10 Bombardier
407GXP to Air Methods CRJ900 Jetliners
The first Bell 407GXP configured for China Express Airlines (China Express) has flights, as well as cooperation with cities,”
Helicopter Emergency Medical Services placed firm orders with Bombardier for adding that it offered excellent economics
(HEMS) has been delivered by Bell 10 CRJ900 regional jets, taking its total and reliability.
Helicopter to Air Methods. Deliveries for orders for the type with the airframer to “Our 2015-2034 Commercial Aircraft
the massive helicopter order will continue 38. The China Express order also takes firm Market Forecast expects delivery of some
for a decade. Air Methods is the world’s orders for the CRJ900 to 409. The airline 900 60- to 100-seat airliners to China
largest air medical provider with more than has taken delivery of 20 of the type so far during the forecast period and the CRJ900
400 aircraft, 300-plus bases, and eight and exercised earlier held options for eight regional jet is proving to be a perfect fit in
maintenance centers. Starting operations aircraft for the latest order. that market segment,” said Andy Solem,
with a single Bell 206 helicopter, the air The latest orders are estimated to Vice President, Sales, China and North
medical company has grown to service 48 be worth $462.6 million at list prices. Asia, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
states and transports more than 100,000 Wu Longjiang, President, China Express The CRJ900 offers a 5.5 per cent fuel burn
patients every year. Airlines, said “The CRJ900 is the right reduction compared to earlier CRJ models
“As our launch customer for this aircraft, aircraft for our cooperation with major and is now operational with more than 20
we take great pride in their ongoing trust in airlines on code sharing and connecting airlines worldwide.
Bell Helicopter and providing them with
our reliable aircraft,” said Bell Helicopter’s
President and CEO Mitch Snyder. approximately a quarter of all 787 revenue
All of the Bell 407GXPs destined for flights.
Air Methods will be fitted with United “Reaching the 100,000th revenue
Rotorcraft emergency medical services flight milestone with the 787 Dreamliner
interiors, which have been designed with is a significant milestone for ANA. As the
air critical care operators in mind. With largest customer of the 787, we look to
an articulating loading system for easy forward to introducing the entire family
patient loading, the adaptable interior of Dreamliners into our fleet as we aim
can accommodate a single patient or to celebrate another 100,000 flights and
specialty transport. The United Rotorcraft beyond,” said Osamu Shinobe, president and
interior also provides integrated medical Boeing 787 Dreamliner Notches CEO, ANA. Ray Conner, president and CEO,
systems such as medical oxygen, suction, Up 100,000th Flight with ANA Boeing Commercial Airplanes said, “We
air, storage, electrical power, and approved Boeing’s revolutionary 787 Dreamliner are honoured to celebrate this important
provisions for securing medical support has completed 100,000 revenue flights milestone with ANA,” and called ANA a
equipment during all aspects of flight. with Japanese Airline All Nippon Airways tremendous partner on the 787 program.
Anthony Moreland, vice president of North (ANA). ANA was the launch customer for ANA has the world’s largest fleet of 787s
American sales said, “The Bell 407GXP the Dreamliner and was the first airline in service and currently operates 44 aircraft
will support their life-saving efforts, but to commence scheduled operations with (787-8 and 787-9) on scheduled flights. Boeing
also provide the team with the expanded the type in 2011. It now adds another first, will deliver an additional 39 787s to the
capabilities, safety and flexibility to serve becoming the first airline in the world to airline, including the latest variant the 787-
their patients.” complete 100,000 revenue flights, which is 10, which is also the longest 787 available.

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