This story broke overnight here in Singapore. This could be the major step toward launch. All indications point to the seriousness of Bombardier to move forward with the product. The buzz around the P&W geared turbo fan engine is the real story of SA2008. I am talking to Bombardier later this morning about the CSeries, so there may be more on this as the day develops. Stay tuned.

SINGAPORE AIR SHOW Bombardier to take step towards launching CSeries jets

SINGAPORE (Thomson Financial) - Bombardier Inc will take a significant step towards launching its long-awaited CSeries of larger airliners later this week, according to an aerospace industry source.

The board of the Canadian regional aircraft maker is expected to make a formal 'authorisation to offer' decision on the CSeries at a meeting on Friday, the source told Thomson Financial News at the Singapore Air Show.

The decision would mean Bombardier can put the proposals for the jet out to the market, paving the way for a formal decision to launch the 2.1 bln usd programme in time to meet a planned entry-into-service date of 2013.

Read the complete post at http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2008/02/cseries-breakthrough.html