Bombardier Aerospace announced that the development of the CSeries aircraft is making excellent progress as the program readies to transition to the flight test phase in order to achieve first flight by the end of June 2013.
Bombardier also confirmed that it has introduced an extra capacity seating option that will increase the CS300 aircraft seating to up to 160 passengers, providing customers with additional payload and range flexibility, as well as increased productivity. It also confirmed that Latvia-based airBaltic is one of these customers, having selected a 148-seat higher-density version.
The CS300 aircraft’s systems’ capacity has been increased to accommodate a higher passenger count. The extra capacity seating option, which requires the addition of a second pair of over-wing exit doors, will be available both in-production and as a retrofit should customers need that flexibility in the future.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, the CSeries aircraft family will offer fuel burn advantages. As of December 31, 2012, Bombardier had booked orders and commitments for 382 CSeries aircraft that include firm orders for 148 CSeries airliners.
Photo: (c) Bombardier