Bombardier Aerospace has announced that Dana Group of Lagos, Nigeria, has placed orders for a super light Learjet 45 XR aircraft and a new widebody Challenger 605 jet.

The two aircraft are the launch orders for the Dana Group’s newest subsidiary, Dana Airlines Limited. The transaction is valued at approximately $39 million, based on the 2007 list prices of typically equipped aircraft.

Delivery of the versatile, high-performance Learjet 45 XR business jet, which is particularly well suited to flight conditions in Africa, is scheduled for March 2008. The sought-after Challenger 605 jet, which entered service in January 2007, will fly intercontinental missions and is scheduled to be delivered in 2010.

“With their category-leading performance and safety standards, coupled with their superior cabin comfort and payload range, these aircraft are the ideal choice for us to provide world-class charter services for both business and VIP travellers,” said Jacky Hathiramani, managing director and chief executive officer, Dana Airlines.

“This order reflects our commitment to developing the full range of air travel services in Nigeria, which we believe can contribute immensely to the growth of the country’s economy.”

Established in 1981 as a pharmaceutical manufacturer, the Dana Group of Companies is today one of Nigeria’s leading industrial and commercial conglomerates with interests in the automotive, steel, electronics, food, water, and paper and plastics sectors, as well as in chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Dana Airlines will be initiating charter services as well as starting up Nigeria’s first low-fare domestic scheduled airline in April 2008.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Dana Group as a first-time Bombardier customer and to have, once again, the opportunity to play a role in the growth of business aviation on the African continent,” said Bob Horner, vice-president, international sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft.

The eight-to-nine passenger Learjet 45 XR aircraft flies faster, farther, with more passengers than any other super light business jet. Its passenger cabin area is approximately 15 inches (38 cm) longer than that of its competitors, and it offers seated passengers more head and shoulder room than any other aircraft in its class. Delivering enhanced performance at high altitudes and in hot temperatures, the aircraft can fly Lagos to Tripoli non-stop.

In service since January 2007, the Challenger 605 aircraft features the widest stand-up cabin of any large category business jet available today. It is equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and an all new cabin electronic system. It can whisk five passengers Lagos to Dubai non-stop, in superior comfort. Optional equipment on the Challenger 605 jet now includes the Bombardier Enhanced Vision System (BEVS), providing pilots with significantly improved situational awareness and the ability to observe runway lights and the runway environment in difficult operating conditions, such as low visibility and/or darkness.-TradeArabia News Service