Bombardier Wins USD$1.4 Bln CSeries Jetliner Order
Bombardier said on Monday it has received an order worth about USD$1.44 billion for 20 of its CSeries jets from Lease Corporation International, with an option for it to purchase another 20.
The order is the second for Bombardier's new CSeries aircraft, set for entry into service in 2013.
Earlier this month, Lufthansa confirmed a long-awaited order for 30 CSeries jets, with the option to buy another 30 at a later date, in a deal worth around USD$1.53 billion.
LCI, a privately owned aircraft leasing company that owns and leases planes to major airlines, signed a firm purchase agreement for three CS100 and 17 CS300 aircraft, Bombardier said.
"We are grateful for LCI's confidence in the CSeries aircraft and delighted to welcome them as the launch leasing company customer," Gary Scott, president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, said in a statement.
Last week, Philippe Poutissou, vice president for commercial aircraft marketing at Montreal-based Bombardier, said the company expects to do a lot of business with leasing companies, many of which had expressed interest in the CSeries.
"Despite the challenges that some of the leasing companies have, this aircraft is delivered in 2013, so they do need to plan for their future," he said at a conference in Toronto.
Bombardier is set to release its results for the latest quarter on Thursday, and is expected to further lower financial forecasts for its profitable business jet segment. In December, it said expected sales in the segment to fall 10 percent in the coming year due to the weak economy.
Bombardier is banking on the new 110-seat and 130-seat CSeries family of aircraft to drive demand in the commercial segment to help cushion the blow from a decline in business jet sales.
It said in December it expected a 10 percent sales rise in its commercial aircraft segment, which also includes its QSeries and CRJ Series planes.
LCI's customer list includes national flag carriers and major airlines such as Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Air France and Virgin Atlantic.
