Bombardier obtained Transport Canada certification for its newest members of the Global family, the 5500 and 6500, and anticipates EASA and FAA approvals, along with service entry, to follow shortly, the company announced today. The initial customer will lease the first 6500 delivery back to Bombardier for use as a demonstrator. Plans call for a handful of deliveries of the ultra-long-range twinjet by the end of the year.

The Transport Canada nod comes about 16 months after the Montreal-headquartered manufacturer took the wraps off the 5500 and 6500, which build on the Global 5000 and 6000 with a redefined wing, new flight deck, redesigned interior, and new 15,125-pound-thrust Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 turbofans that were unveiled during EBACE in May 2018 alongside the new Globals. Rolls-Royce announced yesterday that the Pearl 15s had received Transport Canada approval.

The Global 5500 flies 500 nm farther than its predecessor and is capable of connecting São Paolo and Paris. Its sibling, the Global 6500, has 600 nm more range and can connect Singapore and London. They also have a 13 percent fuel burn improvement and improved hot-and-high performance.

“Following their dramatic unveiling last year [at EBACE], these aircraft continue to surprise and surpass expectations,” said Bombardier Aviation president David Coleal. “Not only did we deliver on our commitments but we did on schedule.”