First Canadian Launch Customer For The New Aircraft

A firm order for five Learjet 75 aircraft has been placed by London Air Services (LAS), according to a news release from Bombardier. The order is valued at approximately $65 million based on the 2012 list price for typically equipped aircraft. LAS is the first Canadian operator to place a firm order for the new light jet.

"The Learjet 75 jet is a perfect blend of high-technology features, modern cabin design and legendary Learjet aircraft performance that operators are striving for," stated Wynne Powell, President and Chief Executive Officer, London Air Services. "The new jet will be a great complement to our existing fleet of Bombardier business aircraft."

A leading charter service provider based in Richmond, B.C., LAS currently has a fleet of five Learjet 45 XR aircraft, one Challenger 604 aircraft, two Challenger 605 jets and a Global 7000 business jet arriving in 2017. "London Air Services is a premier fleet operator and early adopter of Bombardier business aircraft, having been a launch customer for several of our products, including being the Canadian launch customer for our new Global 7000 jet" said Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "We're honoured, once again, by the confidence they have in our products, people and services."

The Learjet 75 aircraft will have improved performance through an engine thrust increase with the Honeywell TFE731-40BR engines, offering improved takeoff field length performance over its predecessor, the Honeywell TFE731-20BR. The new systems will also contribute to a weight savings gain and the new canted winglets will improve aerodynamic efficiency. Overall, Bombardier expects up to a nine per cent improvement in field performance under hot and high conditions* and up to a four per cent improvement in fuel efficiency.

The Learjet 75 Vision Flight Deck is designed to deliver a completely new cockpit experience. By combining the best in technological advancements with superior designer aesthetics, it provides pilots flying Bombardier's Learjet aircraft an unprecedented level of control and comfort. The Vision Flight Deck for Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft features the fully integrated Garmin G5000 digital avionics suite, designed with leading-edge technology and one of the most intuitive crew interfaces available.

The aircraft will be supported by a maintenance program designed to allow customers to operate to fixed interval inspections at Bombardier's growing worldwide support and services infrastructure upon entry-into-service with a generous 600-flight-hour inspection interval. In addition, direct operating costs will be reduced as a result of the performance efficiency gains.

Bombardier says that with a maximum range of greater than 2,000 nautical miles at cruise speeds up to Mach 0.75, the Learjet 75 aircraft will be able to fly four passengers and two crew members non-stop from Los Angeles to Toronto and Mumbai to Bangkok. Additionally, it will be able to handle a range of close to 1,950 nautical miles with eight passengers.

FMI: www.bombardier.com