Toronto, Ontario Bombardier Aerospace has delivered the first of eight Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners ordered by new customer Eurolot S.A. of Warsaw, Poland. The Polish carrier also holds options on an additional 12 of the aircraft. Bartlomiej Matusewicz, Eurolot Vice President, Operations & Technical said during handover ceremony: "This is a very important event for Eurolot as it marks the beginning of our fleet renewal and replacement program, as we accelerate our expansion with new regional routes.
"The European market is extremely competitive however, with the introduction of the Q400 NextGen aircraft, we now have a modern, technologically advanced, fuel-efficient, comfortable turboprop with significant operational flexibility and performance capabilities. Bombardier's Q400 NextGen aircraft will allow us to cover more ground and gain more market access and we're honoured to be the first airline to introduce the aircraft to the Polish community."
Chet Fuller, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft added: "Bombardier is making headway in many new markets around the world and the introduction of the first Q400 NextGen aircraft to Poland speaks to our global reach and to the aircraft's operating flexibility.
"We are proud to see our Q400 NextGen aircraft in Eurolot's colors. With its jet-like speed, strong environmental credentials and enhanced interior, we know that the Q400 NextGen aircraft will be an excellent addition to the airline's fleet."
The deal consists of a firm order for eight planes, which is worth $246 million based on list prices. That would increase to $625 million if options for another 12 planes are exercised, according to a statement by Bombardier Aerospace made to the media.
Bombardier has booked firm orders for 428 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft and delivered aircraft are in service with more than 40 operators in 30 countries on six continents. Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have transported more than 177 million passengers and have logged some 3.2 million flight hours and over 3.5 million take-offs and landings.
Source: Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
About Eurolot
Founded
| 1996
|
Hubs
| John Paul II Kraków Airport, Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport
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Destinations
| 15
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Parent company
| State Treasury of Poland (62.1%), LOT Polish Airlines (37.9%)
|
Headquarters
| Warsaw, Poland
|
Key executives:
| Grażyna Załęska Stoń (President), Leszek Sieluk (Vice President/Finance), Maria Adam Berezowski (Vice President/Operations)
|
Website
| www.eurolot.com |
Eurolot fleet consists of the following aircraft
| ATR 42-500 | 2 about to leave the fleet |
| ATR 72-202 | To be retired/Replaced by Q400 |
| Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 NextGen | Deliveries 2012 (options 2013-2014) |
| Embraer 175 | 2 operated for the Polish Government |