Bombardier Still Studying

What was thought to be a go/no go announcement on the 110-seat CSeries aircraft, turned into a simple update of the Bombardier aircraft, which is designed to grow the company beyond the corporate and regional field into mainline service. The slow pace of the decision came down to customer preferences and technological advances coming on the market, forcing the delivery date to move to 2013. The company continues discussions with potential partners, which, besides the Canadian government, must bring something to the table. Technology, nvestment and access to a strategic market is ideal, said President and Chief Operating Officer Pierre Beaudoin, in a conference call with investors and media on Wednesday. He also said that substantial progress with customers has been made on the CRJ900X but supplier discussions remain unresolved. Beaudoin also said the Q400X turboprop is seen as a long-term development with good promise that must await further developments in the turboprop market. In response to what was clear disappointment that this was not the go/no go announcement, Beaudoin noted that the CSeries decision will influence the company for the next 20 years “so we must take the time to make the right decision. For in-depth coverage of the conference see the February 5 edition of Regional Aviation News.