Major planemaker creates support base in South Africa

10th July 2013

By: Keith Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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Canadian major aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace (part of the Bombardier group) announced in Johannesburg on Wednesday that it is opening a Regional Support Office (RSO) for Africa, at Lanseria International Airport, north-west of the city. It, furthermore, announced its intention to set up a spare parts depot, also at Lanseria, that will be fully operational before the end of this year.

Bombardier is the world’s number three commercial and business aircraft manufacturer. Its partner in both these African initiatives is South African company Execujet.

“We do strongly believe that if you want to be present in a market you need a solid presence in services,” affirmed Bombardier president: customer support and services Eric Martel. “These are two major milestones. This is a clear signal that we are committed to this region.” The RSO and spares depot will cover both the company’s commercial and business aircraft ranges.

“Our [new] Regional Support Office houses a manager, field services representatives, who work with customers on the technical aspects of the aircraft, and account managers,” explained Bombardier VP: customer services and support (commercial aircraft) Todd Young. “The entire team – their whole focus is to keep the aircraft flying.” This, in turn, will ensure that the operators will get the maximum value out of their aircraft.

Currently, 156 Bombardier commercial, and 85 business, aircraft are flying in Africa. The company’s current commercial range comprises the CRJ NextGen family of 60- to 99-seat regional jets, the Q400 70- to 80-seat twin turboprop and the very new CSeries family of 100- to 149-seat single-aisle jet airliners. The prototype CSeries aircraft will make its first fight in some weeks time. Many examples of earlier Bombardier designs are still in widespread operation. Bombardier’s business aircraft range is composed of the Learjet, Challenger and Global (previously Global Express) jet families.

The company is upbeat about Africa. “We see growth happening all across the continent,” stated Bombardier VP: Middle East and Africa sales (commercial aircraft) Raphaël Haddad. “It’s the second-fastest growing continent, after Asia.”

The company expects to sell some 700 of its commercial aircraft into Africa over the next 20 years. It foresees demand for its business aircraft in Africa and the Middle East combined to be 810 aeroplanes over the same period.

The new RSO must not be confused with an authorised service facility. Late last year the Canadian company appointed South African regional airline SA Express as its first authorised service facility in Africa. As a result, SA Express is now approved to service Bombardier’s Dash 8, Q400 and other Dash 8/Q-series aircraft and CRJ100, CRJ200 and CRJ700 regional airliners.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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