Bombardier Gets Order From Mesa Air

Mesa Air Group Inc. has signed a letter of intent with aircraft maker Bombardier Inc. to buy 40 Canadair regional jets in a $1.2-billion deal. Bombardier said Phoenix-based Mesa agreed to buy 20 of the 70-seat jets and 20 of the new 86-seat Series 900 jets, making it the first North American customer for the larger aircraft. The letter of intent includes options for an additional 40 planes. Montreal-based Bombardier said it expects to sign a definitive agreement confirming the 40-jet order shortly. Deliveries would begin in the first quarter of 2002 for the 70-seat model and the first quarter of 2003 for the 86-seat version. Mesa Air already has Bombardier’s 50-seat regional jet in its fleet. Mesa said it intends to operate the aircraft on behalf of America West Airlines under a recently concluded long-term code-sharing agreement.