Bombardier awarded $256.8m

Bombardier Aerospace announced earlier this week that Frontier Airlines of Denver, Colorado has signed a contract to acquire 10 Bombardier Q400 74-seat airliners. The contract includes options on 10 additional Q400 aircraft.

The value of the firm orders based on list price is $256.8m. The value could rise to $520.3m if the 10 options are exercised.

The Q400 aircraft is the airline’s first turboprop. Frontier operates 280 flights a day to 57 destinations in the US, Canada and Mexico, some of which are flown by Horizon Air as Frontier JetExpress using Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets.

‘The aircraft’s high cruise speed and excellent passenger comfort complete an extremely attractive package,’ said Jeff Potter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Airlines. ‘Judging from the experience of other Q400 operators, our passengers are going to enjoy flying in this aircraft.’

Frontier Airlines becomes the 18 operator to order the Bombardier Q400. Firm orders stood at 185 aircraft as of July 31, 2006, with 125 having been delivered.