Korean Air Converts Letter of Intent to Firm Order for Bombardier CSeries Aircraft

News provided by
Bombardier Inc.
Aug. 01, 2011 14:08
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Korea Newswire)--Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the Letter of Intent (LOI) from Korean Air signed on June 21 at the 2011 Paris Air Show to acquire 10 CS300 airliners has now been converted into a firm order. The transaction also includes options on 10 CS300 aircraft and purchase rights for an additional 10 CS300 aircraft.

The firm order makes Korean Air, South Korea's flagship airline, the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft in Asia. The airline currently operates a fleet of 137 passenger and cargo jet aircraft to 115 cities in 39 countries.

“Korean Air's selection of the CSeries aircraft to meet its route expansion requirements in the Asia-Pacific market, and our growing list of customers in the European and North American markets are testaments to the high value and operational flexibility of the CSeries aircraft program,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

Korean Air's CS300 aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan PW1521G engines. Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the CSeries family of aircraft combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements in 2013 and beyond.

The CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15(i) per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20(i) per cent fuel burn advantage, greatly reduced noise and emissions as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km). It will also provide passengers with widebody-style seating in a single-aisle aircraft.

The Korean Air transaction increases firm orders for the CSeries family of airliners to 133 aircraft. Other customers that have firm orders for CSeries aircraft include Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (30 CS100 aircraft), Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and three CS100 aircraft), Braathens Aviation (five CS100 and five CS300 aircraft), a well-established, unidentified airline (three CS100 aircraft), an unidentified major network carrier (10 CS100 aircraft) and an unidentified European customer (10 CS100 aircraft). These customers have also taken 119 options and 10 purchase rights on CSeries jetliners.

About Bombardier

A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, were $17.7 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to editors

Images of Korean Air CS300 aircraft and photos from the signing event are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com.

For additional images, video and product information on the CSeries aircraft, please visit: www.cseries.com.

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.

(i) 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 and CSeries are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Website: http://www.bombardier.com

Contact

Bombardier Aerospace
John Arnone
+1-416-375-3662