CSeries Aircraft Program Making Excellent Progress Towards First Flight

· Bombardier confirms CS300 airframe can accommodate up to 160 seats

· Extra capacity seating option will be available in-production and as a retrofit

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the development of the CSeries aircraft is making excellent progress as the program readies to transition to the flight test phase in order to achieve first flight by the end of June 2013.

“We are very pleased with the progress being made on the CSeries aircraft program and we are excited to open our facility and publicly show the world the advances and key milestones we have achieved as we get ready for first flight,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

“The CSeries aircraft program is making solid progress, having met a number of key milestones over the last few months. We are delighted that Pratt & Whitney recently achieved Transport Canada type certification of its first PurePower Geared Turbofan™ engine, the PW1500G engine that will power the CSeries aircraft, and we are now focusing on three key areas that will lead to our safety-of-flight permit: static airframe testing, building of flight test vehicles and on-the-ground testing,” added Mr. Arcamone.

Media and financial analysts will have the opportunity to get a first-hand look at the first CSeries flight test vehicle (FTV1), Complete Integrated Aircraft Systems Test Area (CIASTA) and various technology displays following today’s program update at Bombardier’s CSeries final assembly facility in Mirabel, Québec.

Extra capacity seating option
Bombardier also confirmed today that it has introduced an extra capacity seating option that will increase the CS300 aircraft seating to up to 160 passengers, providing customers with additional payload and range flexibility, as well as increased productivity. It also confirmed that Latvia-based airBaltic is one of these customers, having selected a 148-seat higher-density version.

The CS300 aircraft’s systems’ capacity has been increased to accommodate a higher passenger count. The extra capacity seating option, which requires the addition of a second pair of over-wing exit doors, will be available both in-production and as a retrofit should customers need that flexibility in the future.

“Our main focus continues to be the development, optimization and marketing of the CSeries family of aircraft in the 100- to 149-seat market segment. The CSeries aircraft is a game-changer in a changing economic environment, and following keen customer interest and market trends, we have enhanced the productivity of the CS300 aircraft further by offering the extra capacity seating option,” stated Mr. Arcamone.

“Specifically adapted for airlines looking at further increasing the productivity of their aircraft, the extra capacity seating option enables the CS300 aircraft to offer the highest seating capacity in its market segment, with the best-in-class seat mile costs and comfort. We are pleased that airBaltic has selected to purchase this new option for its CS300 aircraft,” added Mr. Arcamone.

“We are delighted to select the extra capacity seating option and the additional pair of over-wing emergency exit doors. In keeping with our ReShape business plan, we are taking full benefit of the aircraft’s cabin design as we look to further increase the productivity of our CS300 aircraft and our network,” said Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer, airBaltic.