The Bombardier Cseries, which is scheduled to enter service in 2013 after a first flight in the second half of next year, will attract more buyers for the world’s third-largest planemaker, says Gary Scott, president of Montreal-based Bombardier’s commercial-aerospace unit.
“The last thing I’m worried about is orders,” says Scott. “I know the number of customers I’m talking to. I’m more concerned about being able to provide enough airplanes as my customers would like.”
Signing up a launch customer, who agrees to be the airplane’s first operator, is important for planemakers, because it shows support for a new aircraft. Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA) was the first order announced, yet doesn’t plan to take delivery until sometime after the plane’s 2013 introduction.
The CSeries has received no new orders since Republic Airways Holdings Inc. agreed to buy 40 jets and took options for 40 more about a year ago. Some analysts have questioned whether that indicates a lack of demand for the aircraft, which will seat 100 to 149 passengers.
Scott said it’s not possible yet to say whether Bombardier would be able to announce new orders for the CSeries in time for the Paris Air Show next month. The company doesn’t try to time orders to the industry’s biggest gathering, he said.
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