RwandAir Takes Delivery of its First CRJ900 NextGen Airliner from Bombardier [VIDEO]

RwandAir Bombardier CRJ900 Delivery

Bombardier Aerospace has delivered the first of two CRJ900 NextGen regional jets ordered by RwandAir of Kigali, Rwanda. RwandAir’s firm order for the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, along with options for two additional CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, was announced on March 19, 2012.

The aircraft was handed over to RwandAir during a ceremony at Bombardier’s Mirabel, Québec facility where the CRJ Series aircraft are manufactured. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Edda Mukabagwiza, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Canada; John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer, RwandAir, along with other representatives from the airline; officials from the government of Rwanda; Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and several Bombardier executives and staff.

“We are very proud to introduce the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft to East Africa,” said Mr. Mirenge. “Our 50-seat CRJ200 aircraft has helped expand our markets to the point where larger capacity aircraft are required to meet passenger demand. The CRJ900 NextGen jetliner is a natural progression from the CRJ200 aircraft that has served us so well. In addition, the larger aircraft have a two-class, 75-seat interior that will allow us to offer a premium service.”

“RwandAir is a perfect example of a customer that successfully integrates pre-owned CRJ200 aircraft, establishes a base and grows to become a customer of new aircraft. The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft is the ideal size to allow RwandAir to connect its regional and international markets as it looks to expand its fleet and services with modern, fuel-efficient CRJ aircraft,” said Mr. Arcamone.

“We at Bombardier are very impressed by RwandAir’s steady growth since it began operations in 2002. Today, it is a dynamic airline and the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft will offer it even more operational flexibility,” added Mr. Arcamone.

About CRJ900 NextGen aircraft

Featuring powerful General Electric CF34-87C5 turbofan engines and a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.83 (882 km/h), the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft offers next-generation efficiency, performance and passenger comfort with a seating capacity of up to 88 seats.

Like the other members of the CRJ Series aircraft family, the light weight and advanced aerodynamics of the CRJ900 NextGen regional jet deliver improved efficiency and reduced operating costs compared to other aircraft in its class. The combination of larger winglets and other enhancements since the launch of the CRJ900 aircraft give the CRJ900 NextGen regional jet excellent airfield performance and excellent fuel consumption.

Bombardier’s CRJ Series jetliners are the world’s most successful family of regional aircraft, with some 1,735 in service or ordered as of September 30, 2012. Worldwide, CRJ Series aircraft are in service with more than 60 airlines and have logged more than 34 million flight hours and 28 million take-off and landing cycles. In addition to airline operations, more than 30 customers operate corporate variants of CRJ Series aircraft. More than 270 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft are in operation or on order.

Bombardier

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