February 19, 2006: Bombardier CRJ1000, a new regional jet aircraft from the Bombardier family has been announced. The Bombardier CRJ1000 is an extension of the recent CRJ 900, which itself is a stretch version of Bombardier CRJ 900. The new aircraft has already got bookings from about 15 customers for 60 CRJ1000s. Some airlines which had earlier ordered the earlier versions of Bombardier regional jets are now shifting to the new model, Bombardier said in a statement.

The Canada-based Bombardier is the world's third largest maker of civil aircraft, after Airbus and Boeing. The 100-seater Bombardier CRJ1000 is likely to have some impact on Bombardier's ongoing $2 billion programme 110 to 130 seat C-Series jet. The company has not made any comment on this aspect. Bombardier is also world's No.1 manufacturer of railcars.

Bombardier CRJ 1000 picture

Agencies reported that Air France unit Brit Air, of Morlaix, France, has made a firm order for 8 of the CRJ1000s for a list price value of $371 million.

The CRJ series by Bombardier is regarded as the world's most successful family of regional aircraft.
According to Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace, the company anticipated the need for bigger regional jets when it launched the CRJ700 regional jet in 1997. It was followed by Bombardier CRJ900 regional jet in 2000. He said that these aircraft are now the backbones of many airline fleets across the world.

According to Bombardier, corresponding aircraft made by rival operators have about 15% higher trip cash operating costs.

Bombardier has launched the CRJ1000 aircraft program with 38 firm orders for the aircraft, out of which 15 of which are CRJ900 conversions, and 23 conditional orders and options. Among the customers are Brit Air of Morlaix, France, My Way Airlines of Italy and an undisclosed customer.