Firm order from FlyBe

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that FlyBE of Exeter, England has converted four options on the Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliners to firm orders.

Delivery of the aircraft, coupled with the order for 20 Q400 aircraft announced on January 27, 2005, will increase the FlyBE Q400 fleet to 45 aircraft. The transaction is valued at approximately $100 million.

"The Bombardier Q400 aircraft has played a huge part in the financial turnaround that we have accomplished in the last few years," said Jim French, Chairman and Managing Director of FlyBE. "This aircraft has allowed us to significantly reduce our unit costs and help us become one of Europe's premier low-cost, low-fare airlines in a very competitive marketplace."

In addition to this new order announcement, FlyBE and Bombardier have agreed to jointly promote the Q400 aircraft in the UK and Europe.

Today's order increases firm orders for the Bombardier Q400 turboprop to 151 aircraft.