At the Dubai air show in November we got a first glimpse at Bombardier’s M170 product, its answer to the Gulfstream G650 in the long-range large-cabin business jet market. The aircraft is widely rumored to be set for its public debut at EBACE in Geneva in May. During Bombardier’s briefing today I had an opportunity to ask David Dixon, head of Asia-Pacific for Bombardier business aircraft about what the future holds for this mystery aircraft. Mr. Dixon didn’t show his company’s hand, but certainly stirred the pot.
Jon Ostrower: Can you talk about the future potential for the M170 product you’re looking at to take on the G650 as a clean sheet design and where that stands and when we can hope to hear more about it?
David Dixon: There isn’t a new program launched at this point. That said, Bombardier has launched 25 airplanes since 1989, so we’re always watching the market and responding to what the market needs.I put it to you this way, take a look at what that product is [G650] it’s actually playing catch up, it’s not a bigger fuselage cabin, it has other features, it goes a bit further but it is just coming up to the Global Express so I think they’re [Gulfstream] is trying to come along side, rather than overtake.
But watch this space, we’re always looking at the market and we’ve maintained our investments historically, so I would say there will be new airplanes whether it’s going to be competing with the 650 or any others, I don’t know.
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This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.