Bombardier delivers first of 30 CRJ900 NextGen aircraft to American Airlines

Bombardier Aerospace has announced the delivery of the first of 30 enhanced CRJ900 NextGen jets to American Airlines Group.

The purchase agreement for the aircraft was announced in December last year, and included options for further 40 CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.

The new aircraft will be operated by American Airlines Group’s wholly owned subsidiary PSA Airlines, under the American Eagle brand.

PSA Airlines president Keith Houk said: "The new CRJ900 NextGen aircraft will provide us with new opportunities and signal a bright future for PSA."

The development makes American Airlines the first customer to take delivery of the enhanced CRJ900 NextGen regional aircraft that delivers up to 5.5% less fuel consumption, compared to earlier-generation CRJ900 aircraft.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft sales, marketing and asset management senior vice-president Ray Jones said: "We look forward to the aircraft’s imminent entry-into-service and congratulate American Airlines and PSA Airlines as they target their various markets with the right aircraft to meet the requirements of both business and leisure travellers."

The CRJ900 NextGen aircraft feature advanced technologies including a conic-shaped exhaust nozzle that improves exhaust flow and reduces fuel consumption; a variety of weight-saving initiatives; as well as a six-screen glass cockpit with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line IV integrated avionics suite.

As of 31 March 2014, Bombardier received firm orders for 1,817 CRJ Series aircraft, including 343 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.

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Image: American Airlines, PSA Airlines and Bombardier representatives with the first enhanced CRJ900 NextGen aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.