Montréal, Canada – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft officials state that Latvian flag carrier Air Baltic Corporation AS (airBaltic) has converted its remaining seven option aircraft to firm orders. This latest order brings airBaltic’s total firm order to 20 CS300 aircraft. This agreement follows the airline’s conversion of three option aircraft announced in February 2014. The original order for 10 firm CS300 aircraft with options for another 10 was announced on Dec. 20, 2012.
The Riga-based airline will be the first customer in the world to operate the CS300 aircraft when it takes delivery in the second half of 2016 – a companion to its existing 12 Bombardier Q400 aircraft.
Based on the list price of the CS300 airliner, this firm order is valued at approximately US$506 million.
“Our fleet modernization continues as we proudly increase our all-new CS300 aircraft to a fleet of 20 technologically-advanced jetliners in order to support our ‘Horizon 2021’ business plan. This will substantially improve the connectivity of the Baltic region with Western Europe and the Eastern markets – all of which will help stimulate the economies of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, and create new jobs,” said Martin Gauss, chief executive officer, airBaltic. “The CS300 aircraft will improve our passenger experience and convenience as we position ourselves for growth, reaching new destinations due to the increased capabilities of our new jets joining us later this year.”
“We are delighted that our CS300 launch operator, airBaltic has chosen to increase its firm order position as the airline embarks on transitioning to an all-Bombardier fleet,” said Fred Cromer, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “This demonstrates the growing collaboration between our two companies and we congratulate airBaltic on its achievements - including recently being recognized as the World’s Most Punctual Airline, in addition to being named one of the World’s Most Innovative Airlines. With the production of the airBaltic's first CS300 aircraft well underway, we look forward to its first commercial flight.”
Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 678 C Series aircraft, which include firm orders for 250.
Established in 1995, airBaltic is a joint stock company. Its primary shareholder is the Latvian state, which holds 99.8% of the stock. The airline connects more than 60 destinations from its home base in Riga, Latvia.
Source: Bombardier