Bombardier Aerospace's operating profit for its fiscal first quarter ended April 30 more than doubled to C$112 million (US$103.7 million) from C$55 million in the year-ago period owing to robust aircraft sales.

Aerospace's revenue lifted 15% to C$2.3 billion. It received 91 net orders for regional aircraft, nearly a fivefold increase over 19 ordered in the year-ago quarter, comprising 53 regional jets and 38 turboprops. Delta Air Lines' order for 30 CRJ900s led the way, with Horizon Air and Pinnacle Airlines each ordering 15 Q400s to lead turboprop sales.

The manufacturer delivered 28 regional aircraft in the quarter, slightly above the 24 delivered in the year-ago period. It also took net orders for 83 business aircraft and delivered 50 during the quarter. Aerospace's backlog stood at C$15.4 billion as of April 30.

Parent Bombardier reported net income of C$79 million for the quarter, more than triple the C$24 million earned in last year's quarter, on a 14.3% boost in revenue to C$4 billion. Chairman and CEO Laurent Beaudoin called the results "strong" and noted, "We're now ... seeing the US airline industry rebounding, as demonstrated by a higher level of regional aircraft orders compared to last year."