Bombardier has revealed plans to deliver 255 to 315 CSeries aircraft over a five-year ramp-up beginning in 2016, with the programme turning cash positive on a unit basis early in 2020.

The ramp-up plan released during a Bombardier investor presentation in New York on 24 November shows a more gradual ramp-up envisioned than the three-year race to full-rate production that company executives discussed nearly four years ago.

The new production ramp-up plan begins next year with 15-20 deliveries, including the first to launch customer Swiss International Air Lines by mid-year.

Deliveries could then roughly double in 2017 with 30-35 deliveries. The rate of increase would slow to roughly 50% in 2018 with 45-55 deliveries.

In 2019, Bombardier plans to deliver 75-85 CSeries aircraft. Finally, another 90-120 aircraft would be delivered in 2020, as free cash flow usage would decline to almost nil.

In 2012, Bombardier officials discussed a plan to ramp-up to 120 aircraft per year at the Mirabel final assembly plant within three years of entry-into-service.

Last August, new Bombardier chief executive Alain Bellemare said the company would pursue a more patient ramp-up strategy, allowing the aircraft and the production system to mature.

Bombardier plans to complete type certification of the CS100 by the end of the year with Transport Canada, followed by certification of the CS300 six months later.

Source: Cirium Dashboard