The Cseries is a "game-chaning" five abreast commercial airline family with, according to a Bombardier release, "the economics, performance, environmental and passenger-oriented improvements demanded by airline customers for the next quarter century."

The aircraft is projected to enter service in 2013.

The launch is a challenge to Boeing and Airbus. The new Cseries will compete against Boeing's aging 737 and Airbus' A320 - as well as competing with the ERJ 190, a 98-114 seat aircraft built by Embraer of Brazil.

"Today is a great day for Bombardier, our customers, our employees, our shareholders and our suppliers," said Pierre Beaudoin, president and CEO. "I am proud to say that we have met our business plan objectives: a technologically advanced aircraft family, a strong pipeline of orders and repayable investments with governments and agreements with key suppliers. With the latest in system technologies and aerodynamics, the CSeries family of aircraft will revolutionize the economics and network strategies for airline operations in the 100- to 149-seat commercial market. It is another example of our commitment to designing and manufacturing innovative aircraft that will ensure our continued industry leadership."

German carrier Lufthansa is the launch customer, and the airline has signed a letter of interest for up to 60 aircraft. List price for each aircraft is $46.7 million.

"At Lufthansa, we are committed to a balance between commercial success, environment and business policies oriented toward sustainability," said Nico Buchholz, senior vice president, Corporate Fleet, Lufthansa. "Our initial evaluations of the CSeries family of aircraft and discussions with Bombardier over the last few months have evolved and made us believe that the CSeries family of aircraft clearly meets our stringent requirements for sustainable fleet development, both in terms of environmental and commercial requirements, and flexibility for the future. We are proud to be a part of its launch."

During the launch announcement at the Farnborough International Air Show in England, Bombardier announced that final assembly of the Cseries aircraft would take place in Mirabel, a suburb of Montreal. There had been talk of building the planes in Kansas City, Mo.

"The final assembly facility will be located in Mirabel, thus ensuring Bombardier's access to a skilled aerospace workforce and to an established aerospace education system," said Guy C. Hachey,president and COO, Bombardier Aerospace. "Additionally, the manufacture of the aircraft's aft fuselage and cockpit will take place at our Saint-Laurent facility, near our new product development centre, home to the growing CSeries team."

Bombardier's Belfast, Northern Ireland, facility, a center of excellence for composite manufacturing, will be home to the design and manufacture of theCSeries aircraft wings.

"Our Belfast operation has close to 40 years experience in advanced composites technologies, which have been successfully applied to regional and commercial jets, including the Bombardier CRJ NextGen jets," added Hachey. "Our highly skilled experts continue to develop technologies to take on more advanced composite structures for advanced-design aircraft such as our CSeries aircraft."

Bombardier has received and accepted offers of repayable investments from the governments of Canada and QuÈbec as well as Northern Ireland and British government departments. The total repayable investments will cover approximately one-third of the expected research and development costs. Bombardier will also contribute about one-third, as will key suppliers.

"The CSeries aircraft program is a compelling business proposal for both Canada and QuÈbec as well as Northern Ireland and British Government Departments. It involves, among other things, the development of new technology, creation of employment and further consolidation of Canada's leadership in the aerospace industry. Our partners, including governments and suppliers, will benefit from the program's success," stated Hachey.

The 110- to 130 -seat CSeries family of aircraft will benefit from the latest technological advancements, including: increased use of composites and aluminium lithium in structures; a next-generation engine - the Pratt & Whitney Geared TurbofanTM; and the very latest in system technologies, such as fly-by-wire, and fourth-generation aerodynamics.

"The CSeries family offers the greenest single-aisle aircraft in its class," said Gary Scott, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "These game-changing aircraft emit up to 20 per cent less CO2 and up to 50 per cent less NOx, fly four times quieter, and deliver dramatic energy savings - up to 20 per cent fuel burn advantage as well as up to 15 per cent improved cash operating costs versus current in-production aircraft of similar size. The CSeries aircraft will set a new benchmark in the industry, consuming as little as two liters of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometers in its more dense seating layouts."

The five-abreast CSeries aircraft family is specifically designed to meet the growing needs of the 100- to 149-seat commercial aircraft market category, estimated by Bombardier at 6,300 aircraft representing more than $250 billion revenue over the next 20 years. Bombardier expects to be able to capture up to half of this market.

Key suppliers selected by Bombardier for the Cseries include C&D Zodiac, Rockwell Collins, Parker Hannifin and Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS.

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