Bombardier upbeat about business aviation market prospects

In the face of an unraveling financial market and global economic downturn, Bombardier continues to remain upbeat about the prospects for the business aviation market. Company executives attending the  National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Florida said though they expect some softening in the business aviation market over the next year or two, long-term prospects continue to remain bright.

According to these officials, expansion and fleet replacement over the next 10 years could well total 13,200 business jets, worth $300 billion. Bombardier will continue to maintain its 33 per cent share of this revenue, officials said, and would also try to increase it.

Guy Hachey, CEO of Bombardier Aerospace, said that even as the company continued to deliver strong financials and maintained, or improved, market share, it would also address quality control and customer service issues.

Steve Ridolfi, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, pointed out that the company was constantly working on its product lineup, as evident in the new Learjet 85 introduced at the show. He said that this impressive product line-up also worked to the disadvantage of the company for the popularity of its models had resulted in a 46-month backlog for some models, for instance the Global Express.

He said that some deals "have been left on the table" because of the long waiting period.

James Hoblyn, president of customer services, said the company's focus on streamlining parts inventory and deliveries had ensured a dispatch rate of 99.5 per cent.