First Aircraft Designed To Serve The 100- To 150-Seat Segment In Almost 30 Years Ready To Enter Market

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has delivered the first C Series aircraft. The historic handover to launch operator Swiss International Air Lines ("SWISS") celebrated Wednesday during a special event with SWISS and Bombardier's employees alongside government representatives, suppliers and media.

"SWISS is proud to be the first airline to take title of the C Series - the world's newest, innovative and technologically advanced aircraft. The aircraft performed exceptionally well during its acceptance flight, as expected," said Thomas Klühr, Chief Executive Officer, SWISS. "Along with the CS300 aircraft that we've also ordered, the C Series fleet will allow us to perfectly tailor our capacity to demand on various European routes, while providing an excellent travel experience for our passengers.

"We congratulate Bombardier and our own SWISS teams on this milestone delivery as we now turn our focus to the CS100 aircraft's entry into service," added Mr. Klühr.

"Today is a significant moment for Bombardier, SWISS and their employees - many of whom have dedicated years to designing, building, marketing and defining the flight network for the C Series aircraft as the first right-sized aircraft in the 100- to 150-seat market segment in nearly 30 years," said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "I heartily congratulate our teams and thank our launch operator SWISS for its longstanding support of the program. SWISS has been a wonderful partner and has been involved since the very beginning of this journey; on behalf of the entire Bombardier team, we wish our friends at SWISS continued success."

"A new aircraft program like the C Series aircraft comes around once in a lifetime and it's a proud achievement that belongs to many," said Rob Dewar, Vice President, C Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "This first delivery is the culmination of hard work, collaboration and dedication by thousands of employees, partners and suppliers, and I'm thrilled to applaud them today as we celebrate the flawless delivery of the first CS100 aircraft to our valued customer - SWISS."

"From an initial discussion amongst colleagues, to the first delivered C Series aircraft proudly displaying our national colours and flag - on behalf of SWISS, I am honoured to accept the first aircraft in Bombardier's hometown alongside our respective employees," said Peter Wojahn, Chief Technical Officer, SWISS. "With its state-of-the art engines, systems and materials technology, I am confident the C Series will be a welcome addition to our fleet as we look to meet our upcoming commitments with the same diligence and excellence for which SWISS is recognized."

The first CS100 aircraft is scheduled to enter service with SWISS on July 15, 2016 with its maiden commercial flight taking passengers from Zurich to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. SWISS will gradually replace its Avro RJ100 fleet with the C Series aircraft. Additional C Series aircraft will be used to replace other existing aircraft as well as permit moderate future growth. The CS100 aircraft will fly to Manchester, Prague and Budapest with other destinations - Warsaw, Brussels, Nice, Stuttgart, Hanover, Milan, Florence and Bucharest being added.

(Source: Bombardier news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.bombardier.com