MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - May 7, 2015) - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) announced today that SWISS will be the first customer to take delivery and operate the CSeries aircraft when the CS100 aircraft enters service in the first half of 2016. Bombardier also confirmed today that the CSeries aircraft will make its world debut at the International Paris Air Show being held at Le Bourget, France and will fly directly to Zürich, Switzerland in June as part of a demonstration organized for SWISS' local stakeholders.
SWISS was previously announced as the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft program after parent Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Lufthansa) signed a firm purchase agreement in 2009 for 30 CS100 single-aisle aircraft for SWISS.
"Following the performance results and flight test data, we are pleased that the CSeries aircraft is very much in line with our performance expectations and sustainable fleet requirements. Therefore, we are looking forward to being both the launch customer and the first airline that will operate the CS100 aircraft," said Harry Hohmeister, Chief Executive Officer, Swiss International Air Lines. "It's an honour to mark this occasion with the confirmation that the CS100 aircraft will make an appearance at our hub in Zürich mid-June."
"SWISS has long been an interactive and highly engaged customer; participating in the many development aspects of Bombardier's CSeries aircraft - it's only fitting that our friends from SWISS be the first to operate the CS100 aircraft in service," said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
"SWISS and its parent Lufthansa are known for their cutting-edge technical and operational excellence and we look forward to supporting them as our first operator."
About SWISS
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland's national airline, serving 106 destinations in 49 countries from Zurich, Geneva and Basel and carrying over 16 million passengers a year with its 95-aircraft fleet. The company's Swiss WorldCargo division provides a comprehensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value and care-intensive consignments to some 120 destinations in over 80 countries.
As "The Airline of Switzerland", SWISS embodies the country's traditional values, and is committed to delivering the highest product and service quality. With its workforce of 8,245 personnel, SWISS generated total operating income of CHF 5.2 billion in 2014. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group, and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world's biggest airline network.
About CSeries Aircraft
Bombardier is creating the future with its CSeries aircraft -- the only 100 per cent-new family of airliners specifically designed for the100- to 149-seat, single-aisle market. Benefitting from a clean-sheet design that includes leading-edge technology and systems integration, advanced materials and latest generation aerodynamics, the CSeries aircraft offer a 15 per cent* cash operating cost advantage, a 20 per cent* fuel burn advantage, exceptional operational flexibility, widebody comfort and an unmatched environmental and noise footprint.
The CS100 aircraft offers unmatched flexibility for many airline business models and is an ideal solution for hot-and-high and city-centre airport operations.
Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 603 CSeries aircraft, which include firm orders for 243 CSeries airliners.
About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world's leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.
Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, we posted revenues of $20.1 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
Notes to Editors
Images of CS100 aircraft in SWISS' livery are posted with this press release at www.bombardier.com.
Additional information on CSeries aircraft is available at www.cseries.com.
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* The CSeries aircraft are in the development phase. All data and specifications are estimates, subject to changes in family strategy, branding, capacity and performance during the development, manufacture and certification process. All performance references have been estimated based on a 500-nm North American operating environment and comparisons are to in-production aircraft.
Bombardier, CS100, CSeries and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.