The surging business jet market has helped cash-strapped Bombardier recover from its post-9/11 problems and the Canadian planemaker is ramping up production. According to the Toronto Globe and Mail, Bombardier sold 212 business jets in its last fiscal year and orders continue to pour in. It’s also doing well in the regional jet market and is boosting production from one CRJ every five days to one every four days. A company spokesman said an airworthiness directive on the flap system affecting the entire fleet of older CRJs isn’t affecting sales of new aircraft.
The AD goes into effect today and affects hundreds of aircraft worldwide. There have been hundreds of reports of flaps becoming stuck, a problem Bombardier says results in cold weather operations. The FAA announced the AD in August to ensure the flaps are fixed in time for winter.
