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Bombardier Welcomes Kenya’s Jambojet to the Family of Q400 Turboprop Operators in Africa

31/03/2015 by Aviation Times

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft welcomed Nairobi, Kenya-based, Jambojet Limited (“Jambojet”) to the family of Q400 aircraft customers and operators following Jambojet’s launch of service with a Q400 turboprop chartered from DAC Aviation. Jambojet is using the aircraft to provide service to three new destinations in Kenya’s coastal region — Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda — from its base at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airlines, has joined more than 50 owners and operators of Q400 aircraft worldwide. The airline is the second new operator to have adopted the Q400 aircraft in Africa in 2015, and has become the 19^th member of the family on the continent.

“We’re delighted to be collaborating with DAC Aviation as we expand our network to include Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda, and enhance the service on some of our existing routes with the Q400 aircraft,” said Willem Hondius, Chief Executive Officer, Jambojet.  “Launching operations with the technologically advanced Q400 aircraft, whose attributes include jet-like speed and a quiet cabin in a 78-seat configuration for best cost per seat in its class, will also allow us to implement our growth strategy as we strive to open new destinations in the East African region to respond to the anticipated increased demand in business and leisure travel.”

“We are very familiar with Bombardier’s Q-Series turboprops and CRJ regional jets and can attest to their reliability and cost efficiencies since we have owned and successfully deployed several for many years,” said Warren Feschuk, Chief Executive Officer, DAC Aviation. “The Q400 aircraft continues this tradition of regional air transport excellence and has proven its operational capability in Africa’s hot, topographically diverse landscape. It is an excellent asset in our portfolio and offers the most seats in its class. We are confident that it will meet and even exceed Jambojet’s operational requirements.”

“As owners and operators of Q400 turboprops worldwide continue to capitalize on the aircraft’s outstanding economics and performance, we are confident in its success in Africa, where we continue to be the market leader in the 20- to 99-seat turboprop segment,” said John Kassis, Regional Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We are very happy to welcome Jambojet to our family of operators and wish the airline continued success as it executes its route and network expansion strategy.”

Regional aircraft manufactured by Bombardier have made significant advances in Africa where approximately 55 Dash 8-100/200/300 turboprops, 60 Q400 turboprops, along with 50 CRJ regional jets are in service with, or ordered by, more than 40 customers and operators.

Bombardier’s customer support network for commercial aircraft in Africa includes a Regional Support Office (RSO) and spare parts depot, co-located in Johannesburg, South Africa as well as Authorized Service Facilities in South Africa and Ethiopia. Operating from the company’s regional office located in the United Arab Emirates, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s sales and marketing team is well positioned to provide industry-leading solutions to its current and prospective customers.

Source: Boeing