Leasing Firm Boosts CRJ Fortunes

Denmark’s Nordic Aviation Capital has signed a firm purchase agreement for 12 Bombardier CRJ1000s, all of which it plans to lease to Garuda Indonesia–Bombardier’s previously announced Asian launch customer for the 100-seat jet. Made public in late June, the estimated $595 million deal appears to validate Bombardier’s stated efforts to attract more leasing customers for its regional jets, sales of which have slumped over the past few years primarily due to weakness in the North American market.

“Nordic Aviation Capital’s order, as well as recent transactions undertaken by other third-party financiers to provide CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft to Air Nostrum of Spain, illustrate that these aircraft present attractive financing and leasing opportunities for airlines and investors,” said Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone.