Page 11 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2018 Online Magazine

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Bombardier’s Q400 turboprop
regional commuter continues
to sell strongly in its 20th year

Atul Chandra

ore than 20 years have passed Aircraft’s 2017-2036 Market Forecast, the requirement for
since the Q400 took to the air large regional aircraft (50 to 100 seats) will be for more than
for the first time on February 1st 1,000 airplanes in the Asia-Pacific region. “Asia-Pacific region
M1998 and the Q400 family has is the home of the fastest growing economies. Strong GDP
now received more than 600 firm orders. growth and a booming middle class should drive passenger

The Canadian airframer delivered a total traffic numbers to triple in the next 20 years,” says Francois
of 73 commercial airplanes in 2017, out of Cognard, Vice President, Sales, Asia-Pacific, Bombardier
which 30 were Q400s. The aircraft has Commercial Aircraft. “Bombardier aims to build upon its
proven popular in the Asia-Pacific region strong foundation in Asia-Pacific. Due to the demand for
with 27 operators presently flying more than more frequencies and more city pairs to increase connectivity
260 Q Series turboprops. As of January between smaller communities, there is a great opportunity
2017, the average list price for a Q400 was to continue to support the expected growth with high-per-
US$ 32.2 million, though airlines typically forming regional and small single-aisle aircraft.”
manage to secure substantial discounts. Indian Low Cost Carrier (LCC) SpiceJet announced in
According to Bombardier Commercial February that deliveries of its new Q400s would start later

ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE March/April 2018 | 11