- Latvian flag carrier is the newest CSeries aircraft customer
FARNBOROUGH, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire - July 11, 2012) - Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Riga, Latvia-based Air Baltic Corp. (airBaltic) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire 10CS300 aircraft and take purchase rights on a further 10 CS300 jetliners.
Based on the list price of the CS300 airliner, a firm-order contract with the network carrier will be valued at approximately $764 million US, and could increase to $1.57 billion US should the 10 purchase rights be converted to firm orders.
"As we look to replace the older aircraft in our fleet, matching the requirements of our business plan, we reviewed the narrowbody platforms from the major airframers and determined that the all-new CS300 aircraft was the best fit. With its advanced technologies, it is optimized for our market sizes and will be an excellent companion to the eight Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprops in our fleet," said Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer, airBaltic. "The superb economics of the aircraft and the delivery timeframe that is available to us are also key factors in our decision to choose Bombardier''s CS300 airliners for our network."
"In addition, the travelling experience of our passengers will be further enhanced by the CSeries aircraft''s widebody comfort, including the five-abreast seating and wider middle seat," added Mr. Gauss.
"The CSeries aircraft program continues to reach new milestones, expanding into new markets with unique applications. As the newest customer to join the CSeries aircraft program, airBaltic − known for being innovative − demonstrates the growing demand and need for unmatched technologies and operational flexibility," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "We are thrilled that airBaltic will look to the CSeries aircraft to implement its new initiatives and integrate new levels of passenger comfort. The diversity of the CSeries aircraft customers - from national carriers such as airBaltic, major network carriers, low-fare airlines, premium airlines serving city centre airports, and leasing companies - speaks volumes about the flexibility of the aircraft to serve diverse air transport needs worldwide."
In 2012, airBaltic was named one of the most innovative airlines in the world by airlinetrends.com
About CSeries aircraft
Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the 100 per cent new CSeries aircraft family combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements in 2013 and beyond. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, the CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15* per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20* per cent fuel burn advantage. The CSeriesaircraft''s clean-sheet design is ensuring that the aircraft will achieve greatly reduced noise and emissions, as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km)*. The CSeries aircraft will be up to 12,000 lbs. (5,443 kg)* lighter than other aircraft in the same seat category and will provide passengers with a best-in-class, widebody cabin environment in a single-aisle aircraft.
Including today''s announced LOI from airBaltic for 10 CS300 airliners and purchase rights for 10 CS300 airliners, as well as a conditional order for five CS100 and 10 CS300 jetliners placed by an unidentified customer earlier this week during the Farnborough Airshow, Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 352 CSeries aircraft.
The CSeries aircraft order book also includes firm orders for 138 CSeries airliners from Braathens Aviation (five CS100 and five CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (30 CS100 aircraft), Korean Air (10 CS300aircraft), Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and three CS100 aircraft), PrivatAir (five CS100 aircraft), Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), an unidentified major network carrier (10 CS100aircraft), an unidentified European customer (10 CS100 aircraft) and a well-established, unidentified airline (three CS100 aircraft). The CSeries aircraft program has also booked options for 124 aircraft and purchase rights for 10 aircraft from these customers, as well as LOI''s for up to 30 CSeries aircraft from Ilyushin Finance Co, and for up to 15 CS300 aircraft from Atlasjet.
About airBaltic
airBaltic serves 60 destinations with direct flights from its home base in Riga, Latvia. From every one of these, airBaltic offers convenient connections via Riga to its network spanning Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, CIS and the Middle East.
About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world''s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.
Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we posted revenues of $18.3 billion USD. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
Notes to editors
Images of airBaltic CS300 aircraft are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com.
Additional information on CSeries aircraft is available at: www.cseries.com.
For information about Bombardier Aerospace''s presence at the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow, as well as videos and photos from the airBaltic event, visit: airshows.bombardier.com.
Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.
* The CSeries aircraft are in the design phase. All data and specifications are estimates, subject to change in family strategy, branding, capacity and performance during the design, manufacture and certification process. Performance has been estimated based on a 500-nm North American operating environment.
Bombardier, CS100, CS300, CSeries, NextGen, Q400 and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
Marc Duchesne
+1-416-375-3030
www.bombardier.com
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