Bombardier still plans to deliver the same number of business jets this year despite a schedule slip for completing certification on the Learjet 70/75 programme. The two new variants that will replace the Learjet 40/45 series will now be delivered in the fourth quarter, instead of the first half of this year, says Bombardier president Pierre Beaudoin.
"We feel good about that," says Beaudoin, referring to the new schedule in a conference call with analysts.
The Learjet 70/75 features higher-thrust Honeywell TFE731-40BR engines, a Garmin G5000-based Vision flight deck and an interior cabin refresh.
Beaudoin offered no explanation for the schedule delay, the third reported by the company's aerospace division in six months on three separate programmes. In February, Bombardier announced a similar schedule slip for the Learjet 85, which is now expected to enter service in the third quarter of 2014. Two months earlier, Bombardier disclosed a six-month delay for first flight of the CSeries.
Bombardier is counting on the Learjet 70/75 to revitalize orders in the depressed sector of light business jets. But the company has not changed its delivery guidance for the year despite the delay to the programme.
Source: Flight International
