By Skies Magazine | February 4, 2016 Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 57 seconds.
The first Bombardier Q400 cargo-combi aircraft is seen departing from Toronto Downsview Airport.
On Tuesday, Jan. 5, the first Bombardier Q400 cargo-combi aircraft departed from the Bombardier de Havilland plant at Toronto Downsview Airport on delivery to Okinawa-based Ryukyu Air Commuter Co., Ltd. (RAC), a member of the Japan Airlines Group.
The plane departed Downsview to CFB Goose Bay on the first leg of the long journey to Okinawa.
It was officially accepted on Dec. 31 to meet Bombardier year-end delivery goals. It is the first of five Q400 cargo combis ordered by RAC, announced at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2014.
The plane departed Downsview to CFB Goose Bay on the first leg of the long journey to Okinawa.
RAC is the launch customer for the new cargo-passenger combi variant of the Q400 aircraft. The RAC Q400s will all be used for regional connections within the Okinawa island chain. The extra cargo capacity the Q400 cargo-combi offers will largely be used to service Okinawa’s huge seafood market.
The Q400 cargo-combi aircraft offers the greatest payload capability and operational flexibility in its market segment, and is the only commercial turboprop offering various configurations. In the layout that provides the highest payload capability, the aircraft offers up to 9,000 pounds (4,082 kilograms) of cargo capacity and up to 1,150 cubic feet (32 cubic metres) of cargo volume.
In this high-cargo version, the aircraft can comfortably accommodate 50 passengers at 32-inch seat pitch, and 58 at 29-inch seat pitch. The Q400 cargo-combi aircraft’s “Class C” cargo compartments are designed to meet the industry’s latest regulations.
“We are very excited to be the launch operator for the Q400 cargo-combi aircraft,” said Takashi Irei, president, Ryukyu Air Commuter, in a news release.
In the layout that provides the highest payload capability, the aircraft offers up to 9,000 pounds (4,082 kilograms) of cargo capacity and up to 1,150 cubic feet (32 cubic metres) of cargo volume.
“We always aim to offer the highest level of comfort and convenience for our customers and the Q400 cargo-combi aircraft offers the ideal platform for the evolution of our service. Increasing efficient air travel options around Japan’s Okinawa islands will provide strong economic and leisure advantages.”
“With the delivery of our first combi aircraft, we are celebrating a standout accomplishment for the Q400 aircraft program,” said Fred Cromer, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“Recognized worldwide for its versatility, proven reliability and superior performance, the Q400 aircraft now offers optimum solutions with its single-class, dual-class, extra capacity and combi configurations, and is once again reinventing the modern turboprop market.
“By operating on routes with high cargo demand and medium to low passenger loads, RAC will benefit from the unique economic potential of the Q400 cargo-combi aircraft.”
