Middle Eastern Operator Converts LOI Signed In February

Falcon Aviation Services LLC of Abu Dhabi has signed a firm purchase agreement for two CS300 jetliners. The transaction is a conversion of the Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire one CS300 aircraft and one option that was announced on February 26, 2014. When the LOI was announced, Falcon Aviation Services became the first customer for CSeries aircraft in the United Arab Emirates.

Based on the list price of the CS300 aircraft, the contract is valued at approximately $153.6 million.

Falcon Aviation Services is based at Al Bateen Executive Airport and operates a fleet of corporate jets conducting VIP charter flights, as well as a fleet of helicopters serving the offshore oil and gas industry. The company also conducts search and rescue, aircraft management, maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as consulting operations. The company recently ordered two Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft for its fleet.

"We selected the CSeries aircraft because of its outstanding passenger amenities and superior performance - particularly its excellent range and hot-and-high capability," said Captain Mahmoud Ismael, Chief Operating Officer, Falcon Aviation Services. "All these factors, along with the strength of the Bombardier brand, position the CS300 aircraft exceedingly well for our business development plans versus its competition.

"Our CS300 aircraft will feature a unique configuration to specifically cater to business, corporate and elite travelers in the Middle East and connecting to North Africa, Europe and the Far East," added Captain Ismael.

"Bombardier is creating the future with its CSeries family of jetliners," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "With its exceptional operational flexibility, widebody comfort, as well as its unmatched environmental credentials, the CSeries family of airliners provides excellent opportunities for a wide range of business applications - an advantage that customers like Falcon Aviation are recognizing.

"As the only 100 percent new aircraft specifically designed for the 100- to 149-seat, single-aisle market, the CSeries airliners are benefitting from a clean-sheet design that includes leading-edge technology and systems integration, advanced materials and latest-generation aerodynamics."

To date, Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 471 CSeries aircraft, which include firm orders for 203 CSeries airliners.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.bombardier.com