IFL Group to Acquire the First Bombardier CRJ200 Special Freighter Aircraft

December 19, 2014 – Toronto – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that an entity owned by‎ the IFL Group of Waterford, Michigan has signed a firm purchase agreement to acquire the first Bombardier CRJ200 SF (Special Freighter) aircraft. The aircraft will join IFL Group’s fleet flying air freight throughout North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

“We look forward to adding the Bombardier CRJ200 SF aircraft to our fleet,” said Michael Church, President, IFL Group. “The CRJ200 aircraft has a proud history of dependability and reliability in the fast-paced world of regional airline operations and we are confident that its legacy will continue in our busy air freight environment where on-time performance is essential.”

Prior to being delivered to the IFL Group, the aircraft will be converted to all-cargo configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (“AEI”) of Miami, Florida, a Bombardier-licensed Third Party Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Provider for passenger-to-freighter conversions for CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft. The freighters include a large cargo door and are marketed by AEI as CRJ100 and CRJ200 Special Freighter (SF) aircraft.

“AEI is offering an outstanding opportunity for additional utilization of CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft in the secondary aviation market and we are delighted to welcome our first customer for the CRJ200 SF aircraft,” said Ross Mitchell, Vice President, Business Acquisition, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The re-configuration of CRJ100 and CRJ200 aircraft that are being phased out by airlines transitioning to larger regional aircraft provides an opportunity to set new standards for regional large door freighters.”

“We are seeing significant interest in the CRJ100 and CRJ200 passenger-to-freighter conversions,” said Robert Convey, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, AEI. “The dependability and affordable operating economics of both platforms make them particularly well suited for regional cargo and feed operations.”

Features for the CRJ100/CRJ200 SF aircraft include:

– Eight 61.5 in x 88 in (256 cm x 223.5 cm) pallet positions
– Up to 14,840 lbs. (6,731 kg) main deck payload
– Large cargo door 94 in. x 77 in (238.7 x 195.6 cm)
– 10,000 lb. (4, 536 kg) payload can be flown 1,735 nm (3,213 km)
– 15,000 lb. (6 804 kg) payload can be flown 800 nm (1,482 km)
– Dual vent door system
– Rigid 9G barrier
– 28-VDC independent cargo door hydraulic system
– Main deck converted to Class “E” Cargo Compartment
– Cabin windows replaced with lightweight aluminum window plugs

About CRJ Series aircraft
Bombardier revolutionized regional aviation with its CRJ Series aircraft which continuously move the world forward. As the world’s most successful family of regional aircraft, a CRJ regional jet departs every 10 seconds linking people and communities together. Bombardier has recorded firm orders for 1,834 CRJ Series aircraft.

About AEI
Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) is a global leader in the aircraft passenger-to-freighter conversion business and is the oldest conversion company in existence today. Since the company’s founding in 1958, AEI has developed over 120 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and has modified 400 aircraft with the STCs. AEI helps its customers extend aircraft life and increase the overall value of aircraft assets by continuously focusing on dependable and flexible product offerings.
www.aeronautical-engineers.com

About BombardierBombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Bombardier, CRJ, CRJ100, CRJ200 and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

SOURCE: Bombardier Commercial Aircraft