CSeries not yet carved in stone but getting closer

Bombardier’s conference call to discuss the board’s authorization to offer the CSeries is about to begin. It has been slightly delayed (no doubt every aviation analyst/journalist and their brother is jumping on the webcast). While we wait, a set of musical gems from the 90s is playing, including Go West’s “King of Wishful Thinking”. You might recall some of the lyrics: “We were never carved in stone.” While Bombardier is now cleared to offer its proposed 110/130-seat CSeries to potential customers, an official launch decision has not been made. That won’t happen until Bombardier obtains firm commitments from customers. To be sure, the program has progressed, with Qatar Airways revealing it is considering an order for 20, and Lufthansa and US lessor ILFC admitting they are studying aircraft, which, if launched, will be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engine. Stay tuned for comment from the call...