BKK4Life

Lufthansa Group's firm order for 30 110-seat CSeries valued at $1.53 billion, announced yesterday, puts to rest any doubt that the program will take off, said Bombardier Commercial Aircraft President Gary Scott.
Lufthansa signed a letter of interest at last summer's Farnborough Air Show (ATWOnline, July 14, 2008). But speculation that the CSeries would not get off the ground grew as the deal was not finalized. That ended yesterday when LH and Bombardier announced the firm order for the smaller CSeries version plus 30 options in conjunction with LH's 2008 financial results (see story below). The first aircraft is set to enter service in 2013.
"There has never been a day we were doubtful of the program," Scott told ATWOnline. "Since we launched it, we had full support. People on the outside without inside information speculated that maybe the Lufthansa confirmation purchase agreement took longer than they anticipated. But there's never been any doubt about the program. It's the right airplane at the right time."
There was considerable doubt among analysts and observers. As recently as last month, for example, Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia declared that when the CSeries was announced in 2004, it was "less an aircraft and more a generic and cynical effort to tap into government funding from Ottawa and Quebec." The delay between Farnborough and the firm contract also was a concern and led Teal to remove the CSeries from its 10-year industry forecast, although it now has been returned. Others in the industry voiced similar concerns.
Aboulafia told this website yesterday, "There are still problems both on the demand and the supply side, in terms of production and the market," but that the CSeries remains a positive for the industry. "Anything that promotes progress in engine design is to be encouraged."
LH's new aircraft will be used by Swiss International Air Lines as replacements for its RJ100s. Scott said the CSeries will be certified to operate the steep approach into London City, which is served by Swiss. Bombardier also announced a name change for the two CSeries models. The C110 now will be known as the CS100 while the larger 130-seat C130 will be called the CS300.
The aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney's new PurePower PW1000G. "Our recently completed ground and flight demonstration program confirmed that our patented Geared Turbofan technology can bring operators 12%-15% engine fuel burn improvements and noise improvements that are more than 20 decibels below today's target," P&W Commercial Engines and Global Services President Todd Kallman said. ANA previously ordered the PW1000G to power its Mitsubishi Regional Jet, also scheduled to enter service in 2013 (ATWOnline, March 28, 2008).
by Sandra Arnoult


ATW Daily News

Got scope?

freezingflyboy

Just because it's made my Bombardier doesn't necessarily mean that it will end up at the regional level flown for regional wages. This is directly targeted at the low end of the single-aisle mainline aircraft (737-500, DC-9, A319) that Airbus and Boeing have been dragging their feet developing a replacement for. The airlines have been clamoring for a new generation single-aisle aircraft for years and Bombardier sees an opportunity to break into a market segment that Boeing and Airbus are neglecting. I don't think there is a major pilot group out there that would allow 100+ seat aircraft to be flown by anyone other than mainline. Period. Call it a "regional jet" if you want, but I seriously doubt that there is a mainline pilot group arrogant enough and ignorant enough to allow these to be flown by the regionals. At least I hope not...

Noseeums

I'd like to find out more about these geared turbofan engines. While the efficiency is greatly increased I wonder about the reliability/durability since there will be more moving parts and another computer controlling them that will probably go haywire from time to time.

Anyway... I also wonder how long they'll be able to stretch this one and if while you're flying in the cabin your feet will freeze solid while your head burns up. Clearly the pinnacle of passenger comfort environmental design...

Noseeums

The Embraer 170-190 series aren't classified as a regional jets either, but you've got Republic flying them for peanuts and US Airways/Jet Blue flying the 190 for little more.

I don't understand why Boeing & Airbus haven't tried to jump in this market. Oh that's right... Because they build planes that can last more than 10 years without having a handicapping AD list three bibles thick.

BKK4Life

........................

"LH's new aircraft will be used by Swiss International Air Lines as replacements for its RJ100s."

CaptKrunch

Please lets not start labeling this a RJ. From what I have read even Bombardier is marketing this as a commercial jet not a RJ. Lets take that and run with it.

freezingflyboy

Erm...they have. Perhaps you've seen these aircraft at your local airport...

B737-200/500 - 108-115 seats
A319 - 124 seats
DC-9-30 - 105-115 seats

The problem is that Airbus and Boeing haven't developed anything new in this market segment in 30 years. Its kind of the Honda Civic/Toyota Corolla segment of the industry. They sell tons of em, just don't make much money off em so why waste R&D dollars coming up with something new when your old, reliable models are still flying off the shelves.

WaveRider

ahh, Canadair, the tube just gets looooonger.

usmc-sgt

I dont know why everyone keeps mentioning the long tube idea. This plane is not a CRJ 900 or 1000, it is in its own class. This is not advocating for or against the jet just saying that it looks more like the emb series and not a 130 foot long CRJ.

exerauflyboy5

Its all fun, games and classifications,

Until it flys at the regional level