CS100 Aircraft Now Expected To Be Carrying Passengers In The Second Half Of 2015, CS300 Six Months Later

Bombardier Aerospace has again pushed back its projected entry-into-service for its new CSeries aircraft. The planemaker said Thursday that the CSeries aircraft program is making solid progress and initial performance results are in line with the company's expectations, however, based on the thorough review of the CSeries program after the first flight of the CS100 on September 16, 2013, the flight test phase will require more time than originally anticipated to ensure, among other things, that the aircraft has the overall system maturity to support a successful entry-into-service. The CS100 aircraft's entry-into-service is now scheduled for the second half of 2015 and will be followed by the CS300 aircraft's entry-into-service approximately six months later.

"We are taking the required time to ensure a flawless entry-into-service. We are very pleased that no major design changes have been identified, this gives us confidence that we will meet our performance targets," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "While the process has taken more time than we had expected, our suppliers are aligned with the program's schedule and together, we will continue to work closely to move the program steadily forward. With the first flight of flight test vehicle 2 (FTV2) successfully completed on January 3, 2014, the CSeries aircraft program will continue to gain traction over the coming months."

Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the 100 per cent new CSeries aircraft family combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, Bombardier says the CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15 per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20 per cent fuel burn advantage. With the extra capacity seating option, the CS300 aircraft's productivity further improves, offering airlines an average of four* per cent additional cash operating cost advantage per seat.

As of Thursday, Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 445 CSeries aircraft, which include firm orders for 198 CSeries airliners. Some 17 customers and lessees have joined the CSeries aircraft program.

(Image provided by Bombardier)

FMI: www.bombardier.com