The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Bombardier says demand for its private jets remains strong and its strategy to generate more profit from servicing aircraft is paying off as the company posted its highest free cash flow in nearly two decades during its latest quarter. The Globe's Nicolas Van Praet writes that the Montreal maker of Challenger and Global jets on Thursday reported a 20-per-cent increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, to $53-million, or 45 cents a share, on revenue of $1.6-billion (all figures U.S.). Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization came in at $246-million, just shy of the $250-million analysts expected. Free cash flow, which is the money a company generates after covering operating expenses and capital expenditures, rose $664-million year-over-year to $360-million. The company hiked its financial forecast on free cash flow to greater than $1-billion for the year while reaffirming its guidance on other key metrics. The number of people who can afford a Bombardier jet or fly with a fleet operator is growing, while momentum is building in the defence sector and investments in the services unit are bearing fruit, management said.