Bombardier Q400 Minimizes its Impact

With increasing pressure on companies to take responsibility for their carbon footprint, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, along with Horizon Air, chose Earth Day on 22 April 2008 to reiterate the features and benefits of the popular Q400 turboprop – an airplane that is proving to be a top performer in its class, particularly with regard to its significantly reduced impact on the environment.

With increasing pressure on companies to take responsibility for their carbon footprint, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, along with Horizon Air, chose Earth Day on 22 April 2008 to reiterate the features and benefits of the popular Q400 turboprop – an airplane that is proving to be a top performer in its class, particularly with regard to its significantly reduced impact on the environment.

The 78-seat Q400 produces up to 30 percent less emissions, on a per passenger basis it is more fuel efficient than an average car, and it is one of the quietest aircraft worldwide – both inside and outside the aircraft. The recent dramatic increase in sales of the Bombardier Q400 is seen as an indication that airlines are taking their carbon footprint responsibility seriously. Additionally, the economic benefits of the Q400, particularly with regard to fuel efficiency, are of utmost importance in the competitive world of air travel.

The Bombardier Q400 has a cruising speed of 414 mph, making it equal to that of most regional jets. With excellent fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance, financially the Q400 aircraft breaks even with about 30 percent of its seats filled, making it an attractive option on routes where passenger numbers are unpredictable.

Engineers at Bombardier have focused their efforts on both the internal and external noise levels of the Q400. The innovative Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system reduces vibrations in the fuselage, preventing most of the noise and vibration from entering the cabin and reducing external noise. The ANVS system has made the Q400 (the “Q” standing for “quiet”) one of the quietest commercial aircraft available, which is an exceptional advantage in noise-sensitive areas such as Toronto’s island airport and London’s city airport. Additionally, the Q400’s carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, hydrocarbon and smoke emissions are all well below the International Civil Aviation Organization’s mandated levels.

Seattle-based Horizon Air has 33 Bombardier Q400s operating in their fleet, with another 15 on order. They are among the increasing number of airlines that are using the reduced carbon footprint of their fleet as a marketing tool, raising passenger awareness that they can make a difference to the environment by their choice of airline.