Bombardier has published an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the Challenger 3500 super mid-size business jet. Following its recent groundwork on making the Global 7500 aircraft the first business jet ever to receive an EPD, the Challenger 3500 aircraft is the first business jet in the super mid-size segment to have an EPD published. The validation, verification and confirmation of the EPD for the Challenger 3500 represents another milestone for Bombardier, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Adhering to the International Standards ISO 14020, that specifies requirements for environmental claims and science-based life cycle analysis data, the rigorous cradle-to-grave analysis delivers a comprehensive overview of an aircraft design, development and production processes. The assessment of more than 40,000 aircraft parts underpinned the Challenger 3500 EPD publication, ensuring that the robust industry standards around environmental labels and declarations were met.

“Bombardier is the only business aviation manufacturer to hold EPDs, confirming that reducing the industry's environmental footprint is of the utmost importance to us,” says executive vice president, engineering, programme management and Bombardier Defense Michel Ouellette. “We recognise that establishing sustainability requirements at the start of a design phase initiates development of aircraft that support the industry's carbon reduction goals. Improving the environmental performance of our manufacturing, servicing activities and products across our value chain to ensure environmental risks and impacts are identified, effectively managed and reduced is imperative for a sustainable future.”

Designed and manufactured through a sustainable lens, the Challenger 3500 elevates the customer ownership experience through the introduction of new cabin features that further minimise environmental impact. Cabin interior options incorporate a selection of up-cycled fabrics, rapidly renewable wood options and natural and more locally sourced fibre-based materials, all of which deliver high-quality finishes without compromising aesthetics, comfort or functionality. For crew, the introduction of the first eco app solution in business aviation enables optimised flight plans, which help operators save fuel and reduce the aircraft's environmental footprint. Emphasising Bombardier's commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the jet's flight test programme is the first in business aviation to be completely carbon neutral. In addition, the aircraft can operate to its highest performance levels using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Challenger 3500 aircraft also introduces several innovative technological features, such as the industry's first voice-controlled cabin to manage lighting, temperature and entertainment systems, the first wireless chargers throughout the cabin and the only 24 inch, 4K display in its class. Bombardier's Nuage seat is included in the aircraft's standard configuration, the first time a seat of this calibre is available in the super mid-size segment. In the flight deck, Bombardier introduces a standard-equipped auto-throttle system to the Challenger 3500 aircraft that offers the most baseline features in its class.

Reflecting Bombardier's pioneering spirit and approach to continuous improvement, in April the Challenger 3500 was named the 'Red Dot: Best of the Best' in the Red Dot Award: Product Design Trains and Planes category for 2022.