Air Canada signs major deal for Bombardier’s CSeries
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Air Canada has selected the new Bombardier CSeries to revamp its short-haul fleet.
Canada’s national carrier has agreed to purchase up to 75 CS300s from Canadian planemaker Bombardier, with deliveries scheduled to run from 2019 to 2022.
The CS300 is the largest version of the new fuel-efficient CSeries and will be able to carry up to 150 passengers, depending on the configuration. This makes it a competitor not only in the regional jet market, but also a rival to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.
The deal, which is worth up to US$6 billion at current list prices, comprises firm order for 45 CS300s and options for a further 30 aircraft. Air Canada will also be able to switch some aircraft to the smaller CS100 “in certain circumstances”. The first 25 aircraft being delivered will replace Air Canada’s existing fleet of Embraer E190 aircraft.
“We are delighted to announce this important agreement with Bombardier for the purchase of CS300 aircraft as part of the ongoing modernisation of Air Canada’s narrow-body fleet,” said Calin Rovinescu, president & CEO of Air Canada.
“With its high fuel-efficiency performance and greater seating capacity, the next generation technology of the CSeries is very well suited for our current and future network strategy and will be an extremely efficient addition to our fleet.
“The entry of the CSeries into our fleet is expected to yield significant cost savings. We have estimated that the projected fuel burn and maintenance cost savings… compared to the aircraft it will replace.”
Air Canada said the CSeries acquisition represents a “key element” of its narrow-body fleet renewal programme. It follows a previous order for 61 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which are scheduled to be delivered from 2017 to 2021.
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