MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov 10, 2014) - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that Petroleum Air Services ("PAS") of Cairo, Egypt has signed a firm purchase agreement to acquire a CRJ900 NextGen regional jet. The order is a conversion of a purchase option that PAS acquired in 2011 with its first firm-ordered CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.

Bombardier also confirmed that it has strong representation at the African Airlines Association ("AFRAA") Annual General Assembly being held in Algiers this week. During the gathering, leaders of African and Middle Eastern airlines have gathered alongside aircraft manufacturers, suppliers and association representatives to discuss industry matters and business.

About PAS' Order

"When we purchased our first CRJ900 NextGen aircraft we were seeking a proven jet aircraft to enhance services to our customers and for our tourism destinations," said General Yehia Hussein, Chairman and Managing Director, Petroleum Air Services. "The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft has delivered exactly what we were seeking and is performing very well in the harsh environmental conditions that are typical in the African environment. It is also delivering outstanding fuel efficiency and reliability, so we are purchasing another to further expand our operations."

"We were delighted when Petroleum Air Services selected the CRJ900 NextGen regional jet in 2011 since the company is well respected in the region and has a rigorous aircraft evaluation process," said John Kassis, Regional Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "PAS has done a most commendable job of introducing the CRJ900 NextGen aircraft to Egypt, and the company's acquisition of another is an excellent testimonial to the aircraft's performance attributes and suitability for the region."

PAS provides support services to the petroleum industry and also operates commercial passenger services within Egypt and to regional cities. The company, which is based at Cairo International Airport, was established in 1983 and its current fleet includes one de Havilland Dash 7 aircraft, five Bombardier Q300 turboprops and one CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. PAS also has extensive helicopter operations.

About CRJ900 NextGen 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. Optimized for medium-haul regional routes, CRJ NextGen aircraft deliver best-in-class economics and set the benchmark for lowest fuel burn and operating costs; they also offer proven reliability, fleet commonality and enhanced passenger comfort.

The CRJ NextGen regional jets are designed for hub expansion and point-to-point services, enabling operators to create and develop new markets and increase frequencies for decades to come.

The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft can seat up to 90 passengers or be configured with 76 seats in a typical North American layout featuring extra legroom and comfort. The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft is now delivering up to 5.5 per cent lower fuel burn compared to earlier-generation CRJ900 aircraft.

As of September 30, 2014, Bombardier had recorded firm orders for 1,833 CRJ Series aircraft, including 359 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide, CRJ Series aircraft are in service with more than 60 airlines and more than 30 customers operate corporate variants of the aircraft in over 50 countries on six continents. CRJ Series aircraft have transported more than 1.4 billion passengers and have logged more than 38 million flight hours and over 32 million takeoffs and landings.

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.

Notes to editors

Images of CRJ900 NextGen aircraft in Petroleum Air Services' livery are posted with this release at bombardier.com
Additional information on the CRJ NextGen aircraft is available at http://www.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com/en/home.html.

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Bombardier, CRJ, CRJ900, Dash 7, de Havilland, NextGen, Q300 and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.