Aircraft

Canadian manufacturer Bombardier has launched its new CSeries aircraft family and secured a letter of interest from German carrier Lufthansa for up to 60 aircraft.

The manufacturer, at an event today at the Farnborough air show, said its board of directors had granted approval for the launch of the 110-130 seat CSeries family. Entry into service is scheduled for 2013.

In addition to the 60-strong commitment from launch customer Lufthansa – which includes 30 options - Bombardier says discussions with other airlines are “progressing well”.

Bombardier has also announced it has selected Mirabel, Quebec as the final assembly site for the aircraft. Bombardier president and CEO Pierre Beaudoin says: “I am proud to say that we have met our business plan objectives: a technologically advanced aircraft family, a strong pipeline of orders and repayable investments with governments and agreements with key suppliers.”