Bombardier planes deliveries down in 2012, but number of orders up sharply

Bombardier says it delivered fewer planes last year than in the previous fiscal year, but improved its order book.

The Aerospace division of the Montreal-based train and plane builder said Tuesday that it delivered 233 aircraft in the 2012 calendar year, compared with 245 aircraft in the previous fiscal year, the 11-month period ended Dec. 31, 2011.

The company said the delivery total was in line with the 235 aircraft delivery guidance for business and commercial aircraft provided in March 2012.

Meanwhile, Bombardier said it received orders for 481 aircraft, net of cancellations, compared with 249 orders the previous fiscal year.

The improved order intake was supported by a number of volume orders for both business and commercial aircraft, including those placed by Delta Air Lines Inc.; NetJets Inc.; Nordic Aviation Capital and PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk as well as VistaJet and WestJet.

“2012 was a year of focus on execution and our employees demonstrated their resilience and commitment by rallying through a challenging economic environment to meet our delivery targets,” Bombardier Aerospace president and CEO Guy Hachey said in a release.

“A number of our existing customers reaffirmed their confidence in Bombardier aircraft in 2012 with fleet growth and fleet replenishment orders and we proudly welcomed new customers from emerging and traditional markets,” Hackey added.

Bombardier said deliveries in the 2012 calendar year included 179 business jets, up from 163 in the 2011 period, while it also delivered 50 commercial aircraft, compared with 78 in the prior-year period. It delivered four amphibious aircraft in both years.

Meanwhile, the company said it received 343 net orders for business jets in 2012, compared with 191 in the 2011 period, while net orders for commercial aircraft rose to 138 from 54.

On the Toronto Stock Exchange, Bombardier shares closed down three cents at $3.86.