Bombardier Aerospace released a review of the Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft program for 2012 on January 25th, 2013. The report highlighted $2.7 billion US in orders including 50 firm and 31 optioned aircraft, and seven new customers, operators and leasing companies.
In 2012 WestJet and Eurolot became new operators of the Q400, the Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft became the largest Western-built turboprop aircraft to be awarded type approval for operation in Russia and the CIS as well. Mongolia granted type acceptance in May 2012. EZnis Airways began operating its first Q400 aircraft shortly thereafter.
In September 2012, Ethiopian Airlines became the first airline to take delivery of Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft with a dual-class configuration installed on the Q400’s production line. The five airliners that were ordered have been delivered and have entered service with Ethiopian Airlines and its affiliate, ASKY Airlines of Togo.
Bombardier has booked firm orders for 463 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft and Q400s are in service with more than 40 operators in over 30 countries on five continents. Q400s have transported more than 243 million passengers and have logged more than 3.8 million flight hours and over 4.1 million take-offs and landings over the life of the program.
Bombardier announced on January 17th, 2013 that Qantas placed a firm order for three Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft.
Bombardier Aerospace announced on January 9th, 2013 that it had delivered 233 aircraft during the 2012 calendar year, compared to 245 aircraft deliveries in 2011. Bombardier also received orders for 481 aircraft, net of cancellations, compared to 249 orders, net of cancellations, for the previous fiscal year.