China Express Airlines orders 6 CRJ900s

China Express Airlines has converted a previously announced conditional order for six CRJ900 NextGen regional jets to a firm order. The transaction includes options on an additional five CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. Based on the list price of the CRJ900 NextGen airliner, the firm order contract is valued at approximately US$264 million, and could increase to approximately US$491 million should the five options be converted to firm orders. “Our five 50-seat CRJ200 regional jets have served us very well since we started operations in 2006, and we are confident that the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, which offers excellent economics, will support the growing passenger demand on our larger routes,” said Hu Xiaojun, Chairman, China Express. China Express, which is one of China’s first private regional airlines, is based in Guiyang, Guizhou and currently provides regional passenger services with its fleet of five CRJ200 aircraft. The airline will be the first to launch CRJ900 aircraft service in China. “As the only aircraft manufacturer with three distinct and optimized families of aircraft in the 60 to 149-seat market segment, Bombardier is well positioned to support the growth of China’s air transport network, and we are delighted that China Express has firmed up its order for six CRJ900 NextGen aircraft and will introduce the aircraft to China,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Currently more than 100 Bombardier-produced commercial and business aircraft are operating in China and we look forward to welcoming many more operators in the country.” In its Market Forecast for 2012 to 2031, Bombardier predicted a demand for approximately 2,200 commercial aircraft in the 60 to 149-seat segment in China.