As Bombardier continues to accelerate business jet deliveries this year, a continued robust flow of orders has kept its book-to-bill just above the 1:1 target. Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel told analysts recently that it plans to deliver at least 56 of its business jet models this year in line with its full-year guidance of 138 deliveries, up from 123 in 2022. Martel added that the company has “a good line of sight for the fourth quarter,” giving it confidence in the delivery estimate.
At the same time, it maintains a production backlog of between 18 to 24 months as activity remains strong across its product line including its flagship Global 7500, which recently reached the 150th delivery milestone.
Martel noted the pipeline of activity this quarter might include fleet and/or defense deals. “Demand right now is very strong, still,” he said. “We remain positive. There’s a lot of activity around the globe.” This includes the Middle East “despite what’s going on right now."
Bringing the Global 7500 and Challenger 3500 to the Dubai Airshow this year, Martel noted that the Middle East ranks as an important market for both its business jet platforms as well as its growing defense business. The four-zone, 7,700-nm Global 7500 can connect city pairs such as Miami to Dubai.
The latest member of the Challenger family, the 3500 brings many of the amenities found in Bombardier’s Global family, such as Nuage seats, into the Challenger series. It also broke new ground on technologies such as voice-controlled cabin management.
On the special missions side, Bombardier formalized its defense business into a distinct unit last year with ambitions of turning it into a $1 billion business. During the airshow, Bombardier plans to highlight special mission platforms including the Global 6500.