Bombardier confidently looks to the future and forecasts a rise in demand.

Bombardier's forecast for business jet deliveries in 2018 is 135 units. The company’s President and CEO, Alain Bellemare, is optimistic about the business aviation segment and is ready to increase production "if the market supports it," he told financial analysts today. He describes the business demand in the jet aircraft market as "positive," noting that the company saw a sales increase in the fourth quarter of 2017—a trend that has continued into this year.

“2018 will be a pivotal year for Bombardier,” Bellemare stated. “We are exiting our investment cycle and aiming for a strong growth cycle.” He expressed great hope for the Global 7000, which is set to enter service at the end of this year, albeit three years late, as the company had initially planned to launch sales in 2014-2015. The overall backlog in business aviation at the end of the year amounted to $14 billion, down from $15.4 billion at the end of 2016.

Last year, Bombardier Aerospace delivered 140 business aircraft, an increase of five units compared to the forecast for 2017, but a decline of 16.4 percent compared to the 163 aircraft delivered in 2016. Deliveries last year included 56 Challenger 350s, 45 Global 5000/6000s, 23 Challenger 650s, 14 Learjet 70/75s, and two Challenger 850s. In 2016, the mix comprised 62 Challenger 350s, 51 Globals, 26 Challenger 605/650s, and 24 Learjets.