Bombardier forecasts stable aircraft deliveries for the rest of its fiscal year, as a projected fall in production of 50-seat regional aircraft is offset by increased demand for larger regional jets, turboprops and business aircraft.
But CRJ200 production will be cut to 18 a year from February 2006, compared with the 54 deliveries due this year. “In the regional jet market the move to bigger CRJ700 and 900 regional jets and to the Q Series turboprop family will compensate for the decrease in the production rate of the CRJ200 for the next fiscal year,” says president and chief executive Pierre Beaudoin.
Bombardier Aerospace posted a $23 million increase in earnings before tax to $65 million in the first half of 2005. High fuel prices have boosted sales of larger regional aircraft, the company says. But Bombardier is confident that there will continue to be a market for 50-seat regional aircraft, albeit at a lower level of demand than in previous years.
HELEN MASSY-BERESFORD/LONDON
Source: Flight International