Transport Canada is expected to award type certification to Bombardier for its flagship Global 7500 during a ceremony scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the company’s Global Completion Center in Montreal, marking a significant step toward bringing the clean-sheet, four-zone, 7,700-nm jet to market later this year. Meanwhile, Bombardier has firmed up its order from HK Bellawings Jet, now with a contract in hand for two Global 7500s, four Global 6500s, and options for 12 more.

Canadian certification of the 7500 comes eight years after Bombardier took the wraps off the aircraft, originally as the Global 7000, during the 2010 NBAA convention in Atlanta, but just two years since the first of five flight-test aircraft took to the skies. That first aircraft, FTV1, dubbed “The Performer,” took off on Nov. 4, 2016, and recently was officially retired from flight-testing after completing all of its designated missions. By earlier this month, the five flight-test aircraft had accrued a combined 2,700 flight hours.

Bombardier renamed the aircraft the Global 7500 this spring, saying the new name provides “clear visibility” into the growing Global family that also includes the recently introduced Global 5500 and 6500, along with the 5000 and 6000. But it also came after Bombardier upped the aircraft’s range by 300 nm, to 7,700 nm, a performance that the manufacturer says opens up routes such as New York to Hong Kong. Beyond performance, for Bombardier, the four-zone interior, with the ability to incorporate a fixed bed, as well as a new seat design with the Nuage, also provide breakthroughs for its business jet product line.

As for the HK Bellawings order, Bombardier during the most recent EBACE in Geneva had announced a letter of intent for up to 18 Global 6500 and 7500s. Today, Bombardier said the Hong Kong-based operator has converted that LOI into firm orders for the six Globals valued at $370 million. The 12 options could boost the value of the contract to $1.142 billion

“We are very impressed with Bombardier’s overall product portfolio,” said HK Bellawings president Zhang Yijia. “The new Globals will be an excellent complement to our existing mid-cabin capabilities...The Global 6500 and Global 7500 aircraft align with HK Bellawings’ rapid development to be a one-stop business aviation solution, empowering us to reach higher and further in the long run.”