Nantong Tongzhou Bay Aviation Industry signs LoI for 30 Q400s for Sutong Airlines

Nantong Tongzhou Bay Aviation Industry and Bombardier Aerospace signed (05-Dec-2013) a LoI which will see the Chinese carrier acquire 30 firm Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft, as it prepares to launch commercial airline operations in China through an airline to be named 'Sutong Airlines'. The start-up carrier will be based in Nantong, Jiangsu and plans to operate an all-Bombardier fleet of Q400s when it starts operations in 2015. Based on Q400 NextGen aircraft list price, a firm order would be valued at approximately USD995 million. Nantong Tongzhou Bay Aviation Industry president Zhou Binzhen commented, "With its regional aviation model set to revolutionis air service in Jiangsu, one of China's most affluent and fast-growing provinces, Sutong Airlines will not only make traveling increasingly convenient for the people of Jiangsu, but will also bring tremendous economic benefits to the economies and communities of the province". [more - original PR]