CEO Mentions Possible Buy In Earnings Conference Call

Delta is apparently considering a purchase of Bombardier C Series airliners "very seriously."

In a conference call Tuesday to announce Delta's earnings, CEO Richard Anderson (pictured) said that the C Series "for the right price is quite an impressive airplane. So we are taking a very serious look at it."

Business Insider reports that Anderson said Delta execs had an opportunity to evaluate the airplane first hand before Christmas when Bombardier flew one to Atlanta.

Anderson had particular praise for the Pratt & Whitney PW1500G Geared Turbofans that power the C Series, calling the engines "the first true innovation since the Boeing 787 Dreamliner revolutionized composite structures for airplane fuselages."

But complementing an airplane and saying that it is being seriously considered is a long way from inking a deal to buy, as was evidenced by United's recent decision to purchase 30 737s rather than the same number of C Series airplanes. Analysts say that Bombardier has a shot at Delta's business ... but they will probably have to offer steep discounts to win the order.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.delta.com, www.bombardier.com