Government backs Bombardier's US aircraft deal

The UK Government’s Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) has backed Bombardier Aerospace for the first time on several multi-million dollar contracts to supply aircraft to two US regional airlines.

ECGD has agreed to provide export credit guarantee support on two bank loans worth over U$200million to Atlantic South East Airlines and Comair who will be using the finance to purchase 12 aircraft from Bombardier.

Welcoming the announcement, the NIO Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Ian Pearson, said: "For some time, my Department and officials from Invest Northern Ireland have been supporting the company in its efforts to secure this financing and this very positive development is to be warmly welcomed."

Bombardier’s Belfast plant has designed and manufactured fuselage and other aircraft components for the CRJ200 and CRJ700 regional jets.

The 12 aircraft - six for Atlantic South East Airlines and six for Comair - are part of Bombardier’s ongoing sales programme with these airlines which are subsidiaries of Delta Airlines.

Trade Minister Mike O’Brien said: "The aircraft sector has been through a difficult period over the last two years and new sales have been thin on the ground. ECGD support is an important element of this deal and the time and effort involved in securing the financing has been considerable.

"I am pleased that ECGD continues to do what it can to help UK exporters such as Bombardier secure business wherever possible."

The Belfast plant designs and manufacture the forward and centre fuselage, engine casings, horizontal stabiliser and wing components for the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200. For the larger 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700, it designs and manufactures the forward and centre fuselage and engine casings.

(SP)