Bombardier boosts Q400 production in wake of order, delivery declines

Bombardier Aerospace took 114 commercial aircraft orders net of cancellations in its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, down 45.8% from the 238 booked in 2007-08. The 114 commitments comprised 47 CRJs and 67 Q400s. It delivered 110 aircraft during the recently concluded fiscal year (56 CRJs and 54 Q400s), down from 128 the prior year. The Canadian manufacturer said 2009-10 commercial deliveries will rise some 10% year-over-year. It will increase its Q400 production rate, while CRJ rates will remain unchanged. It also said the CSeries program is "making excellent progress." It plans to release full-year financial results on March 2.