Bombardier Aerospace has showcased the first of two Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners destined for Smart Aviation Company of Cairo, Egypt.

The aircraft were ordered in August 2010.

During a special ceremony held on Monday, September 12, 2011 at Bombardier's Toronto facility, where the Q400 NextGen aircraft is manufactured, Smart Aviation's technical acceptance team was led by General Wael El-Maadawy, Chairman and Managing Director, General Emad Sallam, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director and Radwan Sallam, Deputy Managing Director. Ahmed Talaat El-Libedy, Minister Plenipotentiary, Economic & Commercial Office, Consulate General of Egypt, Montreal, Bombardier representatives and media were also in attendance.

A corporate jet aircraft charter operator since its founding in May 2007, Smart Aviation has formed a commercial airline subsidiary and will use its Q400 NextGen aircraft to launch scheduled and charter services to complement its corporate aircraft activities throughout the Middle East.

"We chose the Q400 NextGen aircraft for our new airline service because Bombardier's other turboprop aircraft have provided reliable, economical and passenger-friendly service over several years in their operations in the Middle East," said General Wael El-Maadawy, Chairman and Managing Director, Smart Aviation Company.  "We are confident that our passengers and crew will find pleasure flying the Q400 NextGen aircraft and that it will provide excellent operational flexibility for our new venture."

"Middle East tourism and business travel are growing steadily, and the Q400 NextGen turboprop is well positioned to satisfy the demand for technologically advanced air transport for the region in the 70- to 80-seat market," said Chet Fuller, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

"The Q400 NextGen aircraft is optimized for intra-regional traffic, offers quiet operations at jet-like speed, and is ideal for the expanding North African and Middle Eastern travel market that Smart Aviation will service," Fuller added.