Bombardier Delivers First of Seven CRJ900 Aircraft to Mesa Airlines

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - June 30, 2015) - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that it has delivered the first of seven CRJ900 aircraft to Mesa Air Group, Inc. of Phoenix, Arizona (Mesa Airlines). Mesa will operate the aircraft for American Airlines under the American Eagle brand. The aircraft delivered is one of a firm order for seven announced on March 12, 2015.

The CRJ900 delivery ceremony held today at Bombardier's Mirabel, Québec facility, was attended by executives of both Mesa Airlines and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

"As the launch customer of the CRJ900 and a Bombardier customer for more than 25 years, we are thrilled to add the newest CRJ900 aircraft to our fleet. Bombardier and the CRJ Series aircraft continue to play a significant role in Mesa's continuing growth strategy," said Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The CRJ900 aircraft with its advanced technology and enhanced fuel efficiencies remains a reliable and cost-effective regional jet solution for our growing fleet. We would like to thank our longtime friends at Bombardier for their continued collaboration."

"Earlier this month, Mesa Airlines and Bombardier signed a five-year Heavy Maintenance Agreement and today, we celebrate the first delivery of the enhanced CRJ900 aircraft to Mesa Airlines --demonstrating our ongoing collaboration as Mesa looks to increase flight frequencies and open new routes across North America," said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "We are very happy to again be teaming with our loyal customer, Mesa to meet passenger requirements for many years to come."

The aircraft delivered today will increase Mesa's fleet of CRJ900 regional jets to 58, reconfirming the airline's standing as one of the largest operators of this aircraft model. Mesa's new CRJ900 aircraft are configured with 76 seats in a dual-class interior. The airline also operates 20 CRJ700 aircraft with 70 seats in a three-class interior. By September 2015, Mesa's currently scheduled deliveries will bring its regional jet fleet total to 115.

As of March 31, 2015, Bombardier had recorded firm orders for 1,865 CRJ Series aircraft, including 391 CRJ900 aircraft.

About CRJ Series Aircraft

Every 10 seconds a CRJ Series regional jet takes off somewhere in the world. The CRJ Series family of aircraft has transported almost 1.6 billion passengers to become the world's most successful regional jet program -- linking people and communities like no other. The CRJ Series regional jets have revolutionized aviation with their proven efficiency, reliability and profitability.

The CRJ Series regional jets share commonality benefits that provide flexibility to operators and allow them to optimize their fleets to meet specific market demands. No other regional aircraft deliver this capability. Optimized for medium-haul regional routes, these aircraft can provide up to 10% cash operating cost advantage over competing jets.

Each of the three CRJ aircraft models offers its own distinct advantages. The CRJ700 regional jet is the lightest aircraft in its category, delivering impressive efficiency, performance and fuel burn savings, while the CRJ900 regional jet offers tremendous flexibility and is ideally suited for growing markets. The CRJ1000 regional jet, which has the highest passenger capacity in the family, delivers the lowest seat-mile cost in the regional jet market and burns up to 13% less fuel than its competitors.

Since its launch, the CRJ Series family of regional jets has stimulated the regional jet market. In North America alone, it accounts for over 20% of all jet departures. Globally, the family operates more than 200,000 flights per month.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world's leading 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 Indices. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, we posted revenues of $20.1 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

About Mesa Airlines

A multiple-time recipient of Air Transport World's Regional Airline of the Year Award and ranked No. 1 Regional Airline three consecutive years by the DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines operates as American Eagle and US Airways Express from hubs in Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth and as United Express from Washington Dulles and Houston. Founded on a mesa in New Mexico in 1982 by Larry and Janie Risley, Mesa currently operates more than 100 aircraft, and over 500 daily system departures to 91 cities, 35 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico. The company has approximately 2,600 employees and plans to hire an additional 1,000 in the next two years. For more information, go to www.mesa-air.com or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mesaairlines

Notes to editors

Photos from the delivery ceremony with Mesa Airlines are posted with this press release at www.bombardier.com.

Additional information on the CRJ Series aircraft is available at http://news.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com.

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Bombardier, CRJ Series, CRJ700, CRJ900, and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.