Transaction includes Options On 10 Additional CSeries aircraft

Braathens Leasing Limited, a member of Braathens Aviation of Sweden, has placed a firm order for five Bombardier CS100 and five CS300 mainline jetliners. Braathens also took options on an additional 10 CSeries aircraft. Based on list prices for the CS100 and CS300 aircraft, the firm order contract is valued at approximately $665 million. That could increase to approximately $1.37 billion  if the 10 options are converted to firm orders.

The CSeries aircraft will be operated by Braathens Aviation member Malmö Aviation from its base at the Bromma-Stockholm City Airport, situated just a few kilometres from downtown Stockholm. Malmö Aviation currently operates 12 jet aircraft and intends to renew its fleet and explore new business opportunities with its CSeries aircraft starting in 2014.

“The performance and environmental features of Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft will not only strengthen our position as the leading operator at Bromma-Stockholm City Airport, but will allow us to expand our business throughout the region,” said Geir Stormorken, Chairman, Braathens Aviation.

“Bromma, being a city airport, has very strict noise regulations, as well as a short runway,” said Knut Solberg, Chief Executive Officer, Braathens Aviation. “We have been very focused on noise, emissions, fuel consumption and runway performance in our decision for a new aircraft type. With the CSeries aircraft, we found exactly what we were looking for. The CSeries aircraft promise excellent runway performance, noise levels which are less than half those of any similarly-sized aircraft currently in production, as well as unsurpassed environmental credentials. We think that the CSeries family of aircraft is a ‘game-changer’ in the context of the environment and performance, and we are very excited about introducing the CSeries jetliners to our passengers.”

“With its order for CSeries aircraft, Braathens Aviation continues to illustrate its deep commitment to its customers and to the community in which it operates,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Braathens Aviation’s visionary leaders have chosen the CSeries aircraft’s game-changing technologies and 21st century design to help them deliver on their commitments, and we at Bombardier appreciate their confidence.”

The CS100 aircraft is scheduled to enter revenue service in 2013, followed by the CS300 aircraft in 2014.

The transaction announced Tuesday by Bombardier increases firm orders for the CSeries family of aircraft to 100, including 38 CS100 and 62 CS300 aircraft, and raises the number of CSeries aircraft customers to four. Other customers that have ordered CSeries aircraft include Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (30 CS100 aircraft) and Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and three CS100 aircraft). In addition, the CSeries aircraft program includes options for 100 aircraft.

FMI: www.bombardier.com