On Feb. 8, Bombardier Aerospace announced that Atlanta, Georgia-based Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order for 30 Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets and has taken options on an additional 30 CRJ900 aircraft. The approval for this contract was granted by the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York.

The contract value for the 30 firm ordered aircraft, based on CRJ900 aircraft list price, is approximately US$1.1 billion. If all options are exercised, the value of the contract could rise to US$2.3 billion.

"Delta Air Lines and its Delta Connection carriers have been Bombardier CRJ aircraft customers since 1989 and currently operate more than 350 CRJ Series aircraft," said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. "Delta has played a major role in the success of the CRJ program and we are grateful for their continuing confidence in our regional jet products."

"The acquisition of these aircraft will help Delta meet its network and operational needs for 2007 and 2008, allowing us to continue providing convenient service to the places where customers most want to travel," said Shawn Anderson, Delta's Vice-President of Delta Connection. "The fit with our fleet, timing of delivery and ownership economics made the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft the best overall solution to meet our needs."

Bombardier CRJ705 and CRJ900 aircraft have now been ordered by, or are in service with operators which include, Air Canada Jazz, Air Nostrum, Air One, Arik Air, Atlasjet Airlines, Lufthansa CityLine, MAT Macedonian Airlines, Mesa Air Group, My Way Airlines, Northwest Airlines, SkyWest Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

This order announcement increases CRJ Series total firm orders to 1,515 aircraft. As of October 31, 2006, Bombardier had delivered 1,395 CRJ Series aircraft to customers around the world.