Air Inuit to be Launch Customer for Bombardier Q300 Freighter with a Large Cargo Door

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 1, 2016) - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Air Inuit Ltd. announced today that they are working together on a passenger-to-freighter conversion for the Q300 turboprop aircraft. The freighter will include a large cargo door. Dorval, Québec-based Air Inuit, a long-time operator of Q300 aircraft has championed this modification and will be the launch customer for the conversion. In support of this conversion, a new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) will be developed under license by a specialized third party entity.

"With its excellent airfield performance - especially on gravel runways - the Q300 aircraft is well adapted for remote operations like those required to support Canada's resource industries and Northern Communities," said Christian Busch, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Air Inuit. "The Q300 aircraft has served us well in our passenger, charter and cargo operations in Nunavik and other markets for many years, and we look forward to enhancing our cargo services with three Q300 Large Cargo Door freighters."

"The cost-effective Bombardier Q Series aircraft continue to prove their high value with more than 150 operators around the world," said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The passenger-to-freighter conversion will offer an outstanding opportunity for additional utilization of the robust, reliable platform that the Q300 aircraft provides. We thank Air Inuit for its enthusiasm and assistance in moving this project forward."

The converted Q300 aircraft is expected to have a cargo capacity of 12,500 lb with an optimized cargo door. The aircraft will accommodate palletized and free load cargo.

Air Inuit currently operates a fleet of 25 aircraft that includes two Bombardier Q100 and 10 Q300 turboprops.

About Q Series Aircraft

The Q Series family of aircraft combines advanced technology and superior design features to provide the ruggedness and performance required in the high-frequency, short-haul regional airline environment. The flexibility of the Q Series family of aircraft has also resulted in its being adapted for a wide variety of non-airline roles such as cargo service, medical evacuation, corporate transport, airways and navigation aid calibration, navigator training and maritime patrol.

Currently, over 1,100 Q Series aircraft are in service with more than 150 operators worldwide.

About Air Inuit

Air Inuit is a Canadian regional airline, owned by the Inuit of Nunavik through Makivik Corporation. The airline provides vital passenger, charter, medical, cargo and emergency air transportation services across the northern Canadian region of Nunavik, of Quebec,of Canada and beyond. Air Inuit operates a fleet of 25 arctic-adapted aircraft which include Boeing 737-200C, Bombardier Dash 8 Series 300 (Q300) and Dash 8 Series 100 (Q100) turboprops, Hawker Siddeley 748, Twin Otter and King Air. Its dedicated team of more than 625 employees are committed to delivering safe, punctual and courteous air service. Additional information is available at airinuit.com

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world's largest 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 North America Index. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, 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 the Q300 LCD freighter in Air Inuit's livery are posted with this news release at www.bombardier.com.

For more information on the Q Series aircraft, visit http://news.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com.

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Bombardier, Dash 8, Q100, Q300, Q Series and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.