Bombardier secures $3.3-bn aircraft deal with Delta Airlines

Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier Inc has entered into an agreement with one of the leading US carriers Delta Airlines Inc for the supply of 70 NextGen jetliners valued at approximately $3.3 billion.

The latest order from the owner of the world's largest fleet of CRJ aircraft comes as a boost to the sluggish regional jet business of the Montreal-based manufacturer of airplanes and trains.

Last week, the company won a historic deal worth over $7.8 billion from Swiss luxury aviation company VistaJet Holding SA for the supply of 142 Global business jets. (See: Bombardier secures orders worth $7.8 bn from VistaJet).

The Delta deal includes a firm order for 40 CRJ900 NextGen aircraft for $1.85 billion with options for additional 30 more airplanes.

The new 76-seater, two-class cabin regional jets will be operated by Delta Connection carriers.

Delta's president Ed Bastian said, ''We selected Bombardier's CRJ900 NextGen aircraft specifically because it is proven to be the most cost-efficient jet aircraft in its class for our operations and this regional jet satisfies perfectly the agreement that we have made with our pilots to add 70 more 76-seat jetliners to our fleet.''