Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Bombardier's CSeries jet nears approval for London City airport

Published 24/03/2017, 11:40
Updated 24/03/2017, 11:50
© Reuters.  Bombardier's CSeries jet nears approval for London City airport

© Reuters. Bombardier's CSeries jet nears approval for London City airport

By Allison Lampert

MONTREAL (Reuters) - Bombardier Inc (TO:BBDb) said its CSeries will soon become the largest commercial aircraft capable of landing at London City Airport, a feat the Canadian planemaker expects will whet buyer interest at a time of sluggish market demand for new jets.

Bombardier, which this week completed a series of dedicated flight trials, expects to receive "steep approach" certification in the second quarter so that airlines can land the 110-seat CS100 variant at the urban airport, which has the challenge of a shorter runway, spokesman Bryan Tucker said.

The certification would allow CSeries customer Swiss Airlines (DE:LHAG) to operate at London City, which is a four-mile drive from the capital's main financial district.

"We expect this to generate interest from other operators as the aircraft demonstrates its capabilities," Tucker said.

The arrival of the lightweight, carbon-composite CSeries at London City could boost Bombardier in the run-up to the industry's showcase Paris Air Show in June.

It comes as planemakers are bracing for another bout of softer sales in 2017 after a prolonged order boom peaked in 2014. Planemakers are having to battle harder for business amid a glut of new planes and concerns over the economy.

"We've been binging on orders," said Teal Group aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia, who expects muted demand in 2017.

Because of its lighter weight than most aircraft of its size, the Canadian jet can fly direct to New York from London City when carrying about 40 passengers in exclusively business-class seating.

UK startup Odyssey Airlines and Geneva-based private charter operator PrivatAir have both announced plans to operate the plane out of the airport, with Odyssey planning services to North America and the Middle East.

A number of operators have tried and failed to make money on banker-friendly London City-New York services, which until now have had to stop in Ireland for fuel on the westbound journey due to prevailing headwinds.

Although it has won accolades for fuel savings and a smooth entry into service with Swiss in 2016, the CSeries has not received a substantial order since the sale of 75 CS100 jets to Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) nearly a year ago.

An earlier order for 45 130-seat CS300 versions to Air Canada (TO:AC) was completed in June.

After relaunching the programme with steep discounts to boost sales following production delays, Bombardier is coming under pressure to secure profitable new sales in the run up to the Paris show.

"We are comfortable where we are at this point," Tucker said of CSeries' existing sales.

As of December 2016, the CSeries had recorded 360 firm orders and most capacity is sold out through 2020, he said.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.