Bombardier is celebrating the 350th delivery of its Challenger 350 business jet. The OEM says that the CL350 has strengthened its position with enhancements and upgrades to its performance and cabin experience.

“The 350th delivery of a Challenger 350 aircraft, reached after only six years in service, speaks volumes,” says Peter Likoray, senior VP of worldwide sales and marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “This achievement shows the great confidence customers place in this aircraft and demonstrates our production proficiency and strong supplier base.”

As of 31 May 2020, the worldwide fleet of in-service Challenger 350 aircraft accumulated more than 648,000 flight hours and more than 383,000 landings. The type holds the title of best-selling super mid-size business jet for six consecutive years, capturing 43 per cent of market share in 2019.

Bombardier has introduced a steady stream of enhancements to the Challenger 350 aircraft, including an available compact head-up display (HUD) and Enhanced Vision System (EVS), a cabin sound-proofing technology and refined cockpit aesthetics. A performance improvement package also allows the aircraft to fly up to 1,500 nm farther than before out of short runways, complementing its already impressive takeoff and landing performance that includes steep-approach capability. The 3,200 nm aircraft can connect New York to London or Paris to Dubai.

Bombardier Aviation has also announced the appointment of Marc Rivest as general manager of its service centre in Dallas.

Rivest has honed his leadership experience by holding multiple operational roles in Canada, the United States and abroad, making him well-suited to lead Bombardier's Dallas team.

“I am extremely pleased to have Marc leading our service centre team in Dallas and working to improve the efficiency and quality control of this important customer service facility,” says Jean-Christophe Gallagher, VP and GM of customer experience. “He is keenly focused on his objectives of reducing aircraft turnaround time and increasing overall customer satisfaction, and I know he will work tirelessly to provide the best service experience for our customers.”

Rivest has held a number of key customer-facing roles within Bombardier, including that of customer account manager at the Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal; manager, preowned aircraft maintenance in Dallas; and most recently, manager, field service for western North America and Latin America.

The Dallas service centre is among nine service facilities in the Bombardier Aviation support network, performing expert maintenance and modifications on more than 1,700 Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft in the past 10 years.

The facility has remained busy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, performing five major inspections and five key modifications, including two ADS-B upgrades and a Challenger 604 Pro Line Fusion installation, among many others.

This key strategic appointment builds on Bombardier's ongoing commitment to providing customers with the best service experience in the business aviation industry. Bombardier's worldwide support network, including service centres, mobile response teams (MRT), and customer response centre provide customers with aftermarket solutions to keep their aircraft ready and available.

Bombardier is also in the process of expanding its service centre expansion projects in Singapore, London and Florida.