Porter Airlines confirms Bombardier jet order worth up to $2.3B
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Deal for as many as 30 CS100 jets would make Porter CSeries Canadian launch customer
TORONTO—Porter Airlines has confirmed it was the unnamed customer that signed a deal to buy as many as 30 jets from Bombardier in a deal that could be worth $2.29-billion.
The Toronto-based airline said it signed a conditional purchase order with the aerospace giant for 12 Bombardier CS100 aircraft, with options for an additional 18.
Bombardier said the deal would make Porter its Canadian launch customer for the CSeries.
According to Porter, the agreement also includes purchase rights for six Q400 NextGen aircraft.
Now the regional airline is asking the Toronto and federal governments to help accommodate the newly purchased jets by extending the runway at the city’s downtown airport.
The City of Toronto, Toronto Port Authority and Government of Canada have governed Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport under the Tripartite Agreement since 1983.
According to Porter, it plans to approach the three parties in a bid to first get approval for the use of the CSeries jet at the island airport, and then request a 168-metre runway extension into the water at each end of the main runway.
Porter said the proposed extension can be accommodated without changes to existing marine boundaries.
Shortly after Porter’s announcement, the Toronto Port Authority issued a statement that said it “takes no position on Porter’s business aspirations,” and said the airline must get approval through the proper channels.
Porter said it could add 1,000 jobs through the addition of the new jets.
According to Porter, delivery of the first CSeries would be in 2016.
