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.

FMI: www.bombardier.com