News
Bombardier working on a 150-seat CSeries

Jan. 8, 2010 – Bombardier is working to enlarge its CSeries to 150 seats to better compete with Boeing and Airbus, an aerospace analyst has predicted.

Joe Nadol of JP Morgan upgraded Bombardier and said a larger version of the new single-aisle aircraft would force the world's largest aircraft manufacturers to consider new engines for their 737 and A320 models.

Montreal-based Bombardier's current plans call for two versions of the plane: one between 110 and 125 seats, another to accommodate 130 to 145 passengers.

The jet will use Pratt & Whitney's PW1000G geared turbofan engines. A recent contract to develop a stronger 30,000-pound thrust version for Russia's MC-21 allows Bombardier to consider a larger
plane.

Nadol said a 150-seat CSeries "would have real potential to take share away from Boeing and Airbus."

Bombardier called the report speculative.

"The CS300 and CS100 are the aircraft we are developing and actively marketing around the world," said spokesman John Arnone.

The CSeries design is expected to be finalized later this year and enter into service in 2013.

Meanwhile, Delta chief executive Richard Anderson said the carrier's aging fleet of Boeing MD-80s retain a cost advantage over newer Boeing 737-800s as lower ownership costs compensate for higher fuel burn.

The suggestion could hamper Bombardier's efforts to sell its fuel-efficient CSeries to the world's largest airline. Bombardier has so far received 50 firm orders for the aircraft but hopes to announce at least one more contract by the end of the month.

The company is in the process of building its flight training centre in Mirabel, north of Montreal, and is stress testing an aluminum lithium fuselage built by Chinese partner Shenyang Aircraft
Corp.

Bombardier's shares closed at $4.99, up nearly three per cent or 14 cents in trading Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.