Bombardier reports strong quarter, to boost production

29 November 2007

Bombardier is increasing its production rate for regional jets and also raising deliveries of business jets in response to record demand. The Canadian group, which is also the world''s third-largest aircraft maker and the largest train maker, also said that it would appoint Pierre Beaudoin as president and chief executive, thereby bringing the third generation of the controlling Beaudoin family to power.

Pierre Beaudoin will take over the chief executive role from his father Laurent, who remains as chairman. Pierrre Beaudoin has been head of the aerospace division for the past six years.

Bombardier said its operating profits in the third quarter to the end of October almost doubled from $105mn to $201mn supported by increased deliveries of both regional and business aircraft and trains. Turnover was up strongly from $3.4bn to $4.2bn.

The group, the world''s leading maker of business jets by value, also said it had booked net new orders for 112 business aircraft in the third quarter, compared to 57 a year ago.

The group has launched a programme to develop a new range of midsize business jets, the Learjet NXT and said it had received more than 85 letters of intent to purchase the jet.

Bombardier said it was also planning to increase production rates of its CRJ700/900 family of regional jets to one aircraft every three days.