Three recent Bombardier Q400 gear-related incidents at SAS Group have failed to stymie the Canadian airframer's momentum as market values for the turboprop appear stable, orders continue to flow and interest in a stretched version grows.
This, and a record $19.6 billion firm order backlog for regional and business aircraft as of 31 October, has given Bombardier Aerospace president and chief operating officer Pierre Beaudoin confidence the firm is in a strong position as he prepares to succeed his father Laurent Beaudoin as Bombardier's new group president and chief executive in June.
The elder Beaudoin will continue as Bombardier chairman. Pierre Beaudoin's replacement is now being sought.
It is clear that his resolve has not been shaken by the SAS Group's decision to withdraw its 27 Q400s from service. Despite some predictions that the move could dampen market values by 10%, Pierre Beaudoin says: "We don't view that the Q400 will take a hit."
Bombardier is working with SAS on remarketing the turboprops. "The demand is very, very high for these aircraft," says Beaudoin, adding: "It is more a matter of getting an agreement with SAS on which customers we should focus on."
The recent order for 12 Q400s from Australia's Qantas Airways, he says, also shows the continued confidence airline customers have in this product. So too does the growing interest in a stretched version of the Q400, dubbed the Q400X.
Pinnacle Airlines chief executive Philip Trenary told Regional Airline Association members last week that if customer acceptance of the Q400s being placed at subsidiary Colgan Air proves strong, Pinnacle certainly would be "interested in aircraft one step up". UK regional carrier Flybe has also held initial discussions with Bombardier over the Q400X, which could offer about 90 seats.
There is a "great opportunity for a bigger Q400", but Bombardier is not in a position to make any decision at this point, says Beaudoin.
Another issue about which Bombardier has remained relatively quiet is the CSeries airliner. Costs for developing the 110/130-seat aircraft are expected to rise, but the manufacturer is waiting until 2008 before discussing any specific increase, or whether it will even launch the programme.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
