Bombardier has confirmed plans to develop a new, larger version of its CSeries regional jet, putting it in direct competition with Boeing’s 737 and the Airbus A320.
The extra-seating option will increase the potential capacity of the CSeries to 160 passengers. This will require the addition of a second pair of over-wing exit doors, with the changes to be made available both during production and as a retrofit, should airlines want to boost capacity in the future.
“Our main focus continues to be the development, optimisation and marketing of the CSeries family of aircraft in the 100- to 149-seat market segment,” said Bombardier’s commercial President, Mike Arcamone. “[But] the extra capacity seating option enables the CS300 aircraft to offer the highest seating capacity in its market segment.”
The 160-seat CSeries would have a range of approximately 5,463km, slightly less than that offered by the A320 or B737, but Bombardier is promising a 4% operating cost advantage per seat.
Bombardier had so far taken orders and commitments for 382 CSeries aircraft, which is expected to be launched in 2014.
