Bombardier gets boost with major C Series order Bombardier Inc.’s C Series jet program got a big boost Friday with the announcement that Macquarie AirFinance has committed to the purchase of 40 planes.
While Bombardier did not disclose the value of the deal, it is estimated to be about $3-billion (U.S.) based on the list prices of previous transactions.
The agreement for 40 CS300 airliners – as well as options on an additional 10 aircraft – with a fully owned affiliate of Macquarie AirFinance is a much-needed vote of confidence in the all-new C Series jet, whose development has been plagued by delays and cost overruns as well as sluggish sales.
The deal with Macquarie AirFinance boosts the tally so far to 243 firm orders for the C Series, bringing it closer to the target of 300 firm orders by the time the plane flies commercially. Bombardier stands by its goal of entry-into-service by the second half of 2015, despite lost time in flight testing.
Ireland-based Macquarie AirFinance currently owns or manages 136 jet aircraft leased to 73 operators in 43 countries. It will lease the CS300 planes to airline operators around the world, Montreal-based Bombardier said on Friday.
“Macquarie AirFinance’s selection of the CS300 aircraft is a strong endorsement of the aircraft type and we are looking forward to working with this unique lessor to expand the market for our 100%-new jetliner,” Bombardier president of commercial aircraft Mike Arcamone said.
“We anticipate continued momentum in the CSeries aircraft program as we confirm our performance predictions for the aircraft.”
“The CS300 will allow us to offer our customers the only type of aircraft optimized for the upper end of the 100- to 150-seat market segment,” Macquarie AirFinance chairman Stephen Cook said.
Bombardier says the C Series offers a 15-per-cent cash operating cost advantage and 20-per-cent fuel burn advantage over rival aircraft.