Air Berlin places order for turboprops
Replacement for Fokker 100 leased to LGW
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air transport
Berlin (euro adhoc) - Air Berlin PLC has placed a firm order for ten type Q400 turboprop aircraft with Bombardier, the Canadian manufacturer, and has an option on a further 10 planes. The airline expects to receive four Q400 aircraft this year and the remaining six in 2009. The 76-seater turboprops are primarily designed as a replacement for the Fokker 100 jets, which Germania is currently operating for Air Berlin.
The list price for ten firm orders is 267 million US dollars although Air Berlin negotiated a fleet price with Bombardier. The entire contract is being funded via HSH Nordbank AG, a bank that is a world-renowned expert in aircraft finance. Air Berlin will be leasing the Q400s to LGW Walter, its co-operation partner, who will then use them on Air Berlin's route network.
On Wednesday Air Berlin´s CEO, Joachim Hunold, made the following statement: "These quiet and comfortable turboprops will allow us to round off our fleet at the lower-capacity end. We intend to use the Q400s mainly on short-haul flights where the passenger volume is not sufficient for us to operate jets. This should result not only in a noticeable reduction in costs, but will also allow us to make an active contribution in terms of protecting the environment, as the CO2 emissions of the Q400 per seat are considerably lower than those of the Fokker 100. In comparison with jets the flying times on short-haul flights will only be very slightly longer. Since our co-operation partner LGW will be operating these aircraft for us, there will not be an increase in the complexity of our fleet either."
LGW-Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter mbH is an airline based in the German city of Dortmund. It was established in 1980 and currently operates six Dornier 228 aircraft. The airline has been serving German domestic routes for Air Berlin since October 2007.
end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further inquiry note:
Claudia Löffler
Senior Manager Public Relations, Air Berlin
phone: + 49 30 3434 1500
fax: + 49 30 3434 1509
e-mail: cloeffler@airberlin.com
Branche: Air Transport
ISIN: GB00B128C026
WKN: AB1000
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