Dublin-based Lessor Elix Acquires Three Bombardier Q400 NextGen Aircraft

Bombardier welcomes newest leasing company to the program as lessors continue recognizing the Q400 NextGen turboprop as a high-quality asset

January 21, 2015 Toronto – Global Airfinance Conference Dublin – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft today welcomed leasing company Elix Aviation Capital Limited (“Elix”) to the family of Q400 ‎aircraft owners and operators. Elix is taking an assignment of three Q400 NextGen aircraft previously booked by an existing Bombardier customer.

Dublin-based Elix was launched in September 2013 with the equity backing of Oaktree Capital Management, a premier global alternative investment firm managing funds in excess of $90 Billion US.

“The Q400 NextGen aircraft is ideally suited to meet the needs of regional airlines as their demand for new-generation turboprops increases worldwide,” said Antonis Simigdalas, Chief Executive Officer, Elix Aviation Capital Limited. “We have noted the Q400 NextGen aircraft’s proven operational capability and performance and are confident that it will be an outstanding asset in our portfolio.”

“As the number of Q400 ‎ aircraft owners and operators continues to grow, we are very pleased to add Elix to our family,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “As active investors in turboprop aircraft, and with a worldwide customer base that includes operators on every continent, Elix is well positioned to extend the global reach of the Q400 aircraft even further – bringing the aircraft to an ever increasing number of communities.”

About Q400 NextGen Aircraft
Optimized for short-haul operations and capable of seating up to 86 passengers, the Q400 NextGen aircraft is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient turboprop. It provides the perfect balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint.

The Q400 NextGen aircraft is the fastest new-technology turboprop, providing both jet speed and turboprop fuel efficiency. The aircraft’s economics and operational flexibility allow airlines to profitably deploy it in a variety of ways to serve typical short-haul turboprop routes, as well as medium-haul jet markets.

Q400 NextGen aircraft are available with an optional dual-class interior for enhanced passenger comfort; an optional extra-capacity configuration with up to 86 seats for high-density markets; and a cargo-passenger combi configuration.

Bombardier has booked firm orders for a total of 521 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide,Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have transported more than 355 million passengers and have logged over 5.7 million flight hours and more than 6.1 million take-offs and landings. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft program includes some 50 owners and operators in over 40 countries on six continents. Long recognized as a high-value asset by operators, the Q400 aircraft is now also attracting growing interest from the leasing community.

About Bombardier
Bombardier 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.

SOURCE: Bombardier