Saudis place firm order for 16 Bombardier CSeries
by The Canadian Press
Montreal-based Bombardier has firm orders for 198 CSeries planes plus nearly 250 options or commitments
SAKHIR, Bahrain—Bombardier Aerospace has received a firm order for 16 new-generation CS300 jets for a Saudi Arabian airline, a deal worth about US$1.21 billion before options.
The value of the contract would increase to US$1.99 billion if the buyer exercises options to acquire another 10 CSeries planes.
The aircraft will be operated by SaudiGulf Airlines, a newly launched national carrier from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“We are thrilled that SaudiGulf Airlines, based in the largest Arab economy—and one with an underserved air travel market —will base the core of its business plan on the CSeries aircraft,” said Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone.
The agreement with Al Qahtani Aviation company, signed in Bahrain, means that Montreal-based Bombardier has firm orders for 198 CSeries planes plus nearly 250 options or commitments.
The CSeries is the company’s newest line of passenger jets, currently undergoing test flights. It’s expected to go into full production this year, after about 12 months of final testing.
