Bombardier has unveiled
the full-scale mockup of its next-generation CSeries family of
aircraft. Bombardier also took the opportunity to announce it
had selected its Mirabel facility as the final assembly site for
the CSeries aircraft and confirmed it was in serious discussions
with Pratt & Whitney Canada for a new centreline engine for the
aircraft.
Attendees at the unveiling included Claude Bechard, Quebec
Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Jean
Teasdale, Vice president, Cargo and Industrial Development,
Aeroports de Montreal, Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc., Pierre Beaudoin,
President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace and
Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier New Commercial Aircraft
Program.
"Today is about more than the unveiling of a cabin mockup, it's
an opportunity to experience the future," said Mr. Scott. "The
CSeries family of airliners is the perfect blend of proven systems,
materials and leading-edge technology, optimized for the lower end
of the 90- to 149-seat market. With its widebody feel, the CSeries
cross-section will provide enhanced seating comfort for passengers,
with features like broader seats and armrests for the middle
passenger and larger windows at every seat to give every passenger
the physical and psychological advantages of ample natural
light."
The CSeries cabin will also have large, rotating baggage bins, a
first for single aisle aircraft, allowing each passenger to stow a
sizeable carry-on bag on board. Compared to the cabins of current
in-service narrowbody aircraft, the CSeries will provide airlines
with the largest overhead bin volume per passenger and a wider
aisle that will allow for faster boarding and disembarkation of
passengers.
"In addition to unmatched passenger comfort, the competitive
110- to 130-seat CSeries family of aircraft will provide 15 per
cent improvement in operating efficiencies, superior operational
flexibility, mature reliability levels at entry into service and
overall lower life-cycle costs. The CSeries aircraft is another
example of our commitment to finding new opportunities for
innovation that will ensure our continued industry leadership,"
said Pierre Beaudoin.
Bombardier Mirabel facility
As part of its rigorous selection process, Bombardier assessed
its Mirabel facility against an exhaustive list of economic,
technical and strategic criteria and determined that the site was
the best environment for the final assembly and major work packages
for the aircraft.
"We are pleased to have the final assembly facility located in
Mirabel, an area where we can count on a skilled aerospace
workforce and a good supply base. I want to thank Bombardier
employees in the greater Montreal area as well as municipal,
provincial and federal government officials for their consolidated
efforts that led to this important decision," added Mr.
Beaudoin.
"Bombardier has chosen Quebec, and now Mirabel, because they can
rely on the right expertise needed to go forward with this project.
Internationally, Quebec ranks in sixth place in the aerospace
sector. The reasons for this success are the importance and the
quality of our workforce and the confidence major players have in
the future of our industry," said Minister Claude Bechard.
Hubert Meilleur, Mayor of Mirabel said: "This is wonderful news
for the population of Mirabel. It will allow us to relaunch our
local aerospace industry and will contribute to the economic
development of our city and region."
Discussions with Pratt & Whitney Canada
Discussions with Pratt
& Whitney Canada on a new centreline engine for the CSeries
aircraft have been progressing well. The new engine is expected to
meet the performance targets established by Bombardier. A decision
on the launch of the CSeries program is expected this fall.
Industry forecasts for the next twenty years show worldwide air
traffic growing, on average, by five per cent per annum and market
analysis shows that there will be significant demand for 90- to
149-seat commercial airliners. Bombardier has identified a total
market for the 90- to 149-seat market segment over the next 20
years of approximately 6,000 aircraft valued at $ 250 billion US,
with over 4,000 aircraft needing to be replaced over the next
decade.