After years of being accused of corporate welfare and federal favouritism for Quebec, Bombardier has slimmed down to a pure-play business jet maker. This new strategy is working.
The storied Montreal plane and train manufacturer has been selling off assets to pay down debt. This includes its CSeries jet program, which went to Airbus SE in 2017. The move was a smart one. Airlines want the brand and stability that Airbus provides.
What is a Bombardier?
bombardier for sale is a Canadian aircraft manufacturer that specializes in business jets. The company’s most famous model is the Challenger series, which includes the popular Challenger 300 and 350 models as well as the larger, more luxurious Global 500 and 6000 models. The company also produces a number of other mid- and large-range business jets, including the Dash 8 and Learjet.
Founded in 1942 by Joseph-Armand Bombardier to market snowmobiles, the company diversified into rail transportation and later entered the aerospace industry with the successful Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) program. The CRJ family of aircraft revolutionized regional travel, connecting smaller cities to major hubs and making air travel more affordable.
The genus “Bombardier” is named for this beetle’s ability to fire bursts of boiling chemicals from its rear end that kill other beetles and startle predators into backing off. The beetle can squirt its boiling chemical defense from all directions, even while moving. It can also lob its boiling chemicals over the heads of ant nest beetles that clamber up on its body, temporarily blinding them.
The Bombardier C Series
When Bombardier first unveiled the C Series at England’s Farnborough International Air Show in 2008 it promised to be a game-changer in the single-aisle commercial jet market. It would be smaller and more efficient than other narrow-body aircraft and offer airlines a way to generate revenue and reduce operating costs.
However, the program was plagued with cost overruns and delays. It was also difficult to sell the aircraft as Boeing and Airbus feared it would steal their best customers and slashed prices.
Despite these issues the C Series finally started to gain traction and in late 2016 Delta Airlines announced it was purchasing 75 of the aircraft. The order was a big deal as it gave Bombardier its first major airline customer for the C Series and a chance to prove the aircraft could compete with Airbus and Boeing. The company has yet to fully ramp up production but should be able to do so in the near future.
The Bombardier Dash 8
This is a modern turboprop airliner that can be seen on regional and feeder-liner routes throughout the world. It comes with a comfortable pressurized cabin, and is capable of flying at high altitudes. It also has a large multi-function display cockpit.
The Dash 8 came along at the perfect time, as it was able to replace older regional airliners as they were reaching the end of their service life. These included the Fokker F27 Friendship and the Handley Page HPR-7 Herald 214.
The classic versions of the Dash 8, including the -100, -200 and -300, are no longer in production. They were replaced by the Dash 8-400 or Q400, which featured an active noise and vibration suppression system that gave it a quieter sound. It was given the ‘Q’ for quiet to signify this. The Q400 can seat between 68 and 90 passengers. The company planned a stretch version of the Q400 called the 400X, however this was put on hold due to issues with the landing gear.
The Bombardier Challenger 300
The Bombardier Challenger 300 is a popular business jet that offers a good combination of price, range and speed. It can fly coast to coast in the US or make a transcontinental journey and is able to handle short runways, too. There are a number of companies that offer upgrades and modifications to the Challenger 300, including Collins Aerospace with advanced avionics systems.
It was designed to fill the gap between Bombardier’s nimble Learjet series and its larger, Challenger 600-series jets. It is one of the best-selling aircraft in its class.
Its cost is competitive with other super mid-sized jets, and it also has a spacious cabin that can accommodate nine people in a double club or three-place divan configuration. This makes it a great choice for people outgrowing their light or mid-size jets and want to remain in the Bombardier family of aircraft. This aircraft is a good choice for business travelers because of its high productivity.
