Bombardier updates market on status of its CSeries commercial aircraft program

Bombardier confirmed today that it will continue to refine its CSeries business plan. The program's team continues to optimize the aircraft configuration to meet customers' requirements for a more economical, flexible and passenger-oriented airliner. The new target date for entry into service is now 2013.

"The decision process related to the launch of an aircraft program with more than a 20-year lifespan takes time and requires a well-defined business plan to ensure the program's long-term success," said Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "As we have previously confirmed, the CSeries plan includes international partnerships, and discussions are progressing. We continue to see the lower end of the 100- to 149-seat market as a segment with a solid potential. We will provide the next update on the status of our CSeries aircraft program in late March 2007."

New developments under consideration include increased use of composite material for the wing and fuselage and the next-generation engine technology, which could yield up to 15 per cent better fuel burn than the existing technology on aircraft in production today.

Heightened customer and supplier interest confirm Bombardier's belief in addressing the lower end of the 100- to 149-seat market segment, estimated at 5,800 aircraft over the next 20 years.