Announcing Project Phoenix - breathing a life of luxury into the industry's most popular regional jet

The program is being launched to address two significant challenges facing the business aviation sector today - rapidly escalating prices and increasingly long lead times. The program has been conceived, with the assistance and support of several former senior Bombardier executives who make up Project Phoenix, to offer buyers of large executive aircraft a viable and cost-effective alternative to new business aircraft models in the 2,200 - 3,000 n.m range - for which new customers are having to wait for up to five years for a delivery slot.

Project Phoenix pledges to retrofit a CRJ-200, fitting long range fuel tanks if so required, within eight months. Maintenance work will be carried out exclusively by reputable authorized Bombardier Service Centers. Cost per unit will be ballpark $17.9 million.

"The CRJ-200 has been in commercial service since the early 1990's and has proved to be an exceptionally reliable, safe and economic aircraft," said Mike Cappuccitti, President of Project Phoenix Ltd.

"Project Phoenix directly addresses buyers' concerns with regard to price and delivery, with absolutely no trade-off in comfort and safety. The proven airframe, engines and multiple redundancy systems of the CRJ-200, as well as its generous cabin size, make it an ideal candidate for a conversion program."

The program will take CRJ-200's from the secondary market and put them through a comprehensive maintenance upgrade, including an engine shop visit if required, before installing a new luxury interior and state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system (IFE). Avionics will be added as well as an additional fuel tank to allow the CRJ-Phoenix to conduct long-range flights. The initial focus is the Middle East, Asia and European markets, with the USA to follow later.

Former President of Bombardier Business Aircraft Sales, John Lawson, who is assisting in the start-up of Project Phoenix, expressed his belief in the concept at a press conference today, commenting: "I am absolutely confident that the CRJ-Phoenix will fulfill a need in today's environment."

"In the mid 90s, there was a "Special Edition" program, based on the original Canadair RJ airframe, which resulted in a very desirable business aircraft. Regrettably, it had to be shelved when demand from the airline industry soaked up all available airframes. This program brings them back to the marketplace at an exceptionally attractive price point," he said.

The CRJ-Phoenix will boast a maximum range, with long-range tanks fitted, in excess of 3,000 nm.

Powered by twin General Electric CF34-3B1 engines rated at ISA+15, the aircraft is capable of normal operations out of hot and high airfields such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and Riyadh. Initial climb altitude is 37,000 feet with a maximum certified ceiling of 41,000 ft.

Direct and fixed operating costs are predicted to be very similar to other executive jets in this class, whilst the total hourly costs will be much lower owing to the significantly lower capital cost.

Close to 30 expressions of interest already

Project Phoenix is hopeful it will conclude two Letters of Intent this week at the Dubai Show from the 30 potential orders under discussion, Mike Cappuccitti confirmed.

"What really makes the CRJ-Phoenix attractive to potential customers is the fact that the aircraft will present "as new" for a price way below that of any other aircraft in its class. Moreover, we can produce it in less than 10 months," he said.

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