Eznis Airways First to Operate Bombardier Q400 Aircraft in Mongolia

Q400 aircraft, the only large turboprop with capabilities to meet performance challenges of region

Bombardier Aerospace today welcomed Eznis Airways LLC to the growing family of Bombardier Q400 aircraft operators. Eznis Airways LLC, the largest private airline in Mongolia, has acquired a previously owned Q400 aircraft and has started service in the country with the fast and fuel-efficient turboprop. Eznis acquired the Q400 aircraft through Nordic Aviation Capital, the Denmark-based leasing company.

Eznis’ acquisition of the Q400 aircraft follows the type acceptance certification that was awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia in May, 2012 for operation of the aircraft in the Central Asia nation. The certification in Mongolia preceded the decision in June, 2012 by the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) – commonly known by its Russian acronym, MAK – to award aircraft type approval to the Q400 turboprop for operation in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

“The Q400 aircraft is leading Bombardier’s expansion across much of Asia and the certification in Mongolia, in addition to the recent type approval in Russia and the CIS nations, are an important part of our strategy,” said Rod Sheridan, Vice President, Customer Finance, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, who leads the business unit’s Asset Management Group (AMG). The AMG is dedicated to the management and remarketing of Bombardier’s previously owned commercial aircraft portfolio.

“We’re delighted to welcome Eznis Airways as one of five new operators that have ordered or acquired the Q400 aircraft this year and the first in Mongolia,” added Mr. Sheridan.

“We are thrilled to add the Q400 aircraft to our fleet,” said Munskhsukh Sukhbaatar, Chief Executive Officer, Eznis Airways. “The powerful yet fuel-efficient turboprop can fly in the most difficult conditions that Mongolia presents – high winds, large swings in temperatures, and high elevation airports.”

Powered by two new-generation, 5,071-shaft horsepower (shp) PW150A engines, and capable of flying at a speed of up to 360 knots (667 km/h), the Q400 aircraft can quickly climb above the strong summer head winds which blow across Mongolia, and also access the high elevation airports in mountainous regions of the country. Its steep approach capabilities allow the aircraft to quickly descend over the mountains to easily navigate the strong northerly winds found at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in UIaanbaatar, where Eznis is based.

The Q400 aircraft has been certified for gravel runway operations that predominate in rural Mongolia, which enables Eznis to fly mining charter customers directly to mine sites, while the aircraft’s large baggage compartment allows ample storage of mining provisions.

Bombardier has booked firm orders for 460 Q400 and Q400 NextGen turboprops, and delivered aircraft are in service with more than 40 operators in 33 countries, on six continents. These aircraft have transported more than 243 million passengers and have logged more than 3.7 million flight hours and over 4.0 million take-offs and landings.