The order game at airshows
Ever wonder why manufacturers like to announce orders for new aircraft at airshows? Airlines and leasing outfits take a long time to deliberate over such purchases. Funny how manufactures seem to hit a rich vein just in time for the annual airshow. Maybe they like milking maximum publicity out of the event if they can announce when the stage is lit. And why is it sometimes airlines want their order kept under wraps. Is it because publicizing the fact that they're buying a new, more efficient aircraft could tip their hand to competitors? At least we sometimes see an order made by a purchaser asking that the announcement be delayed, or that their name not be announced. BBD will sell more C Series. The aircraft was never intended to compete head-to-head with larger commercial jets at the majors. It was intended for leasing outfits, smaller airlines, start up airlines. BBD could sell a lot more buy cutting the price temporarily and boosting momentum for the program, but that would ramping up production rates imperative, and the company simply doesn't have sufficient capacity. Makes more sense to sell it at a reasonable price - even if that means a slower build out of the order book. Look for 300 maybe by next year's airshow. That's plenty to eat up C Series production for several years out.