That said, the fleet of Large and Medium aircraft has been growing at a faster pace than Light aircraft. Although the entry point to the business jet market has historically come via the Light aircraft category, buyers in emerging markets, where demand is building, frequently opt for a Large jet as their first aircraft.
Bombardier has developed a very strong line up in both the Medium and Large categories. In the Medium category, our Challenger aircraft are exceedingly popular. In the Large category, our market-leading Global family of aircraft offers the most technologically advanced and broadest product line available. And our new aircraft development programs, including the Challenger 650, and the Global 7000 aircraft are ensuring we are well positioned to lead the industry going forward.
Bombardier is also the first business aircraft manufacturer on the market to make ultra-high speed Wi-Fi services available in flight globally and, through its service providers, Bombardier WAVE is the first to offer performance commitments for network availability and speed.
Customer satisfaction is also a key element of our success, and we remain committed to the growth of our worldwide customer service network. We recognize how critical it is that customers have ready access to support and parts services close to their base of operations, and we’ve built a comprehensive customer support network across the globe.
Q6-You’ve been present in the MEA region for long, what is your current market share? And what are the main countries that you sell the most planes?
The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Turkey remain the largest markets for business aviation in the region with an installed base of over 410 aircraft. Bombardier is the leader in the region with over 27 % market share.
Q7-Do you have any new aircraft that the company is planning to launch? Do you depend on and support innovations? And approx. what is the percentage that Bombardier spend on innovation in your production lines?
Bombardier Business Aircraft is developing an aircraft of unique calibre, with no compromises in terms of performance and comfort. The Global 7000 aircraft is a game-changing aircraft that will define a whole new category for business jets. The Global 7000 is the first and only purpose-built four-zone aircraft in the world, and it will deliver unmatched performance, flexibility, and comfort.
We are applying innovative thinking, leveraging learning from other development programs and using the highest caliber technology throughout the entire manufacturing process for the
Global 7000 aircraft. The final assembly line in Toronto features a state-of-the-art automated positioning system that moves the wing structure into place for joining with the fuselage. This system uses laser-guided measuring to ensure components of the aircraft are joined consistently and perfectly each time.
Laser-guided technology is also a key feature of the final assembly line’s articulated robot drilling. Designed to ensure consistent quality and repeatability, the robot drilling features a tolerance for accuracy and precision within less than one thousandth of an inch. Combining human ingenuity with the most advanced machines, the Global 7000 final assembly line is a testament to the commitment Bombardier has made to deliver the most advanced aircraft to the market.
Q8-the GCC* and UAE/Saudi in specific is moving forward with a full rail system in the region, is Bombardier present? Did you enter any negotiations with those governments to be part of those projects, do you have this in your future plans especially that Bombardier has big capabilities in mass transit solutions through rails.
Since 2012, Bombardier Transportation has established two wholly owned subsidiaries, one in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and one in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to bid and deliver projects in the region. Bombardier has hired local workers into the organization and the aim is to be a strategic local partner in MENA’s rail industry.
Bombardier Transportation has completed an Automated People Mover System at the Dubai International Airport this year.
Furthermore, the Riyadh Metro project, for which the first Bombardier-built train for the new Line 3 (Orange line), will begin its testing programme in Canada this summer. In total, Bombardier Transportation will supply 47 two-car driverless INNOVIA Metro 300 trains.
Q9-We are going through a market slowdown in the global economy in general and the GCC* in specific due to low oil prices do you think this affected Bombardier sales of business aircraft in the region?
We don’t expect the long-term demand for business aircraft to be impacted by the short-term fluctuation of oil prices. The Middle East remains a promising market for business aviation and is expected to receive 350 deliveries valued at $12 billion over the next 10 years. We are confident that private aviation in the Middle East will continue to grow in the coming ye