Revenue Bonds Issued For Bradley International

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has lowered its rating on the State of Connecticut's airport revenue bonds outstanding, issued on behalf of Bradley International Airport, to 'A-' from 'A'. The outlook is stable.

"The downgrade reflects our assessment of financial metrics that we believe are comparable with those in the low end of 'A' rated airports" said Standard & Poor's credit analyst Adam Torres. "Overall, the rating reflects our view of the credit profile of a medium-hub airport demonstrating what we consider to be a strong origination and destination service area with good liquidity and possible additional debt plans."

Bradley is primarily an origination and destination airport, with 97% of enplanements being classified as such. The airport is about 12 miles north of Hartford, and is owned by The Connecticut Department of Transportation, which operates it through the Bureau of Aviation and Ports.

$17-Million Main Runway Upgrade Complete

The main runway at Bradley International Airport (BDL) main is ready for take-offs and landings after a two-month, $17 million reconstruction project.

Runway 6-24 handles about 210 of the 350 daily flights at Bradley, located in Windsor Locks, about 15 miles north of Hartford.

State Department of Transportation crews milled, resurfaced, grooved and painted the 9,510-foot-long and 250-foot-wide runway. Upgrades included a water main crossing and new wiring for the runway lights.

The project was funded through an FAA Airport Improvement Program grant along with funds from the airport's capital improvement budget. The Connecticut Department of Transportation owns and operates the airport.

Bombardier Adds Two To Aviation Portfolio

Deutsche Lufthansa AG signed a firm purchase agreement for 30 CSeries model CS100 (formerly C110) Bombardier single-aisle aircraft. These aircraft will be operated by Lufthansa’s subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. The agreement also includes options on an additional 30 CSeries.

Based on list price, the contract value for the 30 CS100 aircraft is worth approximately $1.53 billion.

Bombardier manufactures commercial aircraft and business jets, rail transportation equipment, systems and services, and is a global corporation headquartered in Canada.

In related news, Grupo Mexicana and its regional subsidiary MexicanaLink, have joined the 50 airlines that operate Bombardier's CRJ Series family of regional jets.

MexicanaLink will operate 13 previously owned CRJ200 aircraft acquired from a third party. Based in Guadalajara, the airline will start service on March 16 with two CRJ200 aircraft. MexicanaLink will initially operate several routes from Guadalajara.

Grupo Mexicana currently operates 90 larger jet aircraft serving more than 50 destinations in Mexico, North, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. In 2008, they transported 11.7 million passengers.

As of January 31, 2009, Bombardier had delivered 1,527 CRJ Series regional jets, including 1,021 CRJ100/200/440 aircraft to operators worldwide.

Previously owned aircraft continue to enjoy secondary market opportunities as economical commercial airliners and corporate converted aircraft, and in service as package freighters. Bombardier Commercial Aircraft's Asset Management Group manages and re-markets the company's previously owned commercial aircraft portfolio.

Bombardier Aircraft Services (BBAS) provides business aircraft customers service and support options, including technical and pilot training at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.



Photography courtesy Bombardier.