Bombardier Q400 Backlog Grows

By Darren Shannon

Bombardier failed to sell any regional jets in its fiscal fourth quarter, but boosted its Q400 tally by 25 airframes in the same three-month period.

In its latest order book update, which was released March 4, the company also reported a backlog of 120 turboprops, including 114 Q400s and six Q300s, and 146 regional jets at the end of its fiscal year.

For the 12-month period to Jan. 31, Bombardier also delivered 56 regional jets — almost all CRJ900 variants — and 54 turboprops. These turboprop deliveries included 43 Q400s, six Q300s and the last five Q200s on the company’s order book.

Bombardier’s backlog is dominated by its 78-seat turboprop, with 114 units left to deliver. Of the remaining 152 aircraft in the Canadian manufacturer’s backlog, 55 are CRJ900s, 46 are CRJ700s, and 45 are for its CRJ1000, which is still under development.

This CRJ1000 backlog could grow if conversion rights held on seven CRJ900 orders are exercised.

Bombardier also has six Q300s left to deliver.

At last year’s production rates, Bombardier has a roughly two-year backlog for its QSeries family of aircraft and about 2.5 years for its regional jets. However in February, the company said it was increasing its Q400 production rate about 10% (DAILY, Feb. 6).

Total sales for the QSeries also breached 1,000 in the fourth quarter, rising by 25 from third quarter levels to 1,018 units. Total CRJ sales remained unchanged from the end of the third quarter at 1,673 airframes.

Photo: Bombardier