Bombardier expects a sizeable portion of CSeries orders will be placed by the leasing community.

The airframer believes that 30% and perhaps as high as 40% of all orders for the 110/130-seat, Pratt & Whitney PW1500G-powered aircraft will be placed by lessors, says Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Gary Scott.

To date, Bombardier has signed a 30-strong CS100 deal with Lufthansa for the German operator's Swiss International Air Lines subsidiary. Irish operating lessor Lease Corporation International holds a purchase agreement for 20 aircraft - three CS100s and 17 CS300s.

LCI Bombardier CSeries
 © Bombardier

"We think the CSeries will be of considerable interest to leasing companies. That is different from regional jets, where we've seen a lot of sale/leaseback agreements, but not a lot of lessor orders," says Bombardier Commercial Aircraft vice-president marketing Philippe Poutissou.

Scott adds: "They [lessors] look for flexibility. The CSeries is an airplane that retains its value and has a lot of additional value beyond what's in the fleet today."

The aircraft is on track to enter into service in 2013.

Source: Flight International