Bombardier gets first firm order for C-Series aircraft

[JF Mezei]

Last July, Bombardier formally launched the C-Series aircraft based on a
letter of interest from Lufthansa for 60 aircraft.

Yesterday, this was formally turned into an order. Firm for 30 and
options for 30 more. Montréal's La Press newspaper talks about a CS-100
model, which will be configured with 115 passengers.

Looking at the Bombarier press release:

http://www.bombardier.com/en/aerospace/media-centre/press-releases/details?docID=0901260d80088e67

The CS-100, formerly called the C110 is to nominally hold 110 pax in all
***@32" seat pitch. It can hold up to 125 in high density config with
all coach @ 30" seat pitch.


The planes will actually go to Swiss. 20 will be used to replace
BAe146s, and 10 for growth.

This provides some insight on the integration between Swiss and
Lufthansa (with Lufthansa doing the buying of aircraft)


First deliveries still scheduled for 2013 according to Reuters and the
Bombardier press release. But La Presse mentions deliveries starting in
2014 for this order.

Qatar Airways was interested in the CS-300 (seating 130), but it appears
negotiations have not concluded.

The mongolian airline Eznis has apparently signed letter of interest
for 7 aircraft.

Bombardier says that despite the current economic upheaval, airlines
still have to plam for fleet renewall for when good times will return in
a couple of years.
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[JF Mezei]

Looks like the fortunes of the C-Series are starting to turn.

Earlier in March, Lufthansa firmed up its order of 30 C-Series jets. And
now, Bombardier announces the sale of 20 C-Series (3 CS100, and 17
CS300s) to Lease Corporation International. (LCI). Eventual airline is
not identified.

With 50 orders, I guess the launch has (finally) become legitimate.
Remains to be seen if this will be the start of a trend with orders
starting to pour in (like 787), or whether this is going to be a very
painful sale by sale attempt to break even (like the 380).


I am curious to see if ILFC will place an order soon. ILFC has not yet
been rescued from AIG, but it may wish to prove that it can still
function by placing an order for the CSeries.


.
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