Bombardier unveils two long-haul corporate jets
By Gurmukh Singh, IANSSunday, October 17, 2010
TORONTO - Bombardier, a world leader in metro and corporate aviation, has unveiled two new jets, the Global 7000 and Global 8000, to reaffirm its undisputed position in the large business jet category.
While the Global 7000 will have a range of 13,520 kilometres, the Global 8000 will be able to fly a globe-girdling range of 14,631 kilometres, Bombardier said.
With these two planes, the company now has a flagship aircraft family of the large, ultra-long range with the Global 5000, Global Express XRS, Global 7000 and Global 8000 jets.
“The Global 7000 and Global 8000 jets will give our customers the ability to reach more destinations non-stop than ever before,” said Steve Ridolfi, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft, unveiling the new jets at the weekend.
The Global 7000 can fly non-stop from London to Singapore, New York to Dubai or Beijing to Washington with 10 passengers. The Global 8000 can connect Sydney-Los Angeles, Hong Kong-New York and Mumbai-New York non-stop with eight passengers.
“Bombardier’s commitment to innovation, ongoing investment in product development strategy and strength as the industry leader are key contributors to our overall success,” Ridolfi said.
“By extending this great aircraft family, we are once again offering a business jet travel experience that is unmatched and ahead of its time,” he added.
The new large jets will feature an all-new high-speed transonic wing, designed to optimize aerodynamic efficiency. They also will feature GE’s new emission cutting TechX engine, according to Montreal-based Canadian company.
The new engine offers improved efficiency and eight percent fuel efficiency over the Global Express XRS which was unveiled in 1996, the company said.
The world’s third largest maker of civilian aircraft reported cancelled orders for dozens of business jets last year amid the deepening global economic crisis.
For orders for 26 aircraft, 12 got cancelled, Bombardier’s aerospace division head Guy Hachey said last month.
The company reported a second quarterly profit of $148 million - down from $202 million - last month.
(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)
