Canada-based BlackBerry obtained a secondhand Bombardier Global Express jet in July, right before sacking 4,500 employees, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The smartphone maker purchased a 2006 Bombardier Global Express. Similar planes are advertised online for $25 million to $29 million.
BlackBerry’s purchase of an airplane cast a spell on the mass media as lately the firm announced a $1 billion loss as the sales of the new phones flopped.
Meanwhile, a year ago when the company warned of dismissing 5,000 workers, it sold one of the planes to cover expenses. After that, it had just two planes Dassault Falcon remained.
BlackBerry explained that Bombardier would replace two old Dassault. However, financial hurdles prompted the company to sell its entire corporate-jet fleet with no sale date available yet.
In August 2013, BlackBerry was trying to find an acquirer of its assets. As an alternative, the company can merge with a rival to establish a common corporation. BlackBerry, which once was the pioneer of the smartphone market - lost 90% in its shares value.
Now the firm employs 11,500 people. Thus, it would fire 40% of its workforce. Besides, the company’s product line decreased from 6 models to 4.
