The leasing arm of Macquarie AirFinance has signed a firm order for 40 Bombardier CS300 aircraft for delivery between 2017 and 2019.

First reported by Flightglobal on 18 July, the deal with the lessor includes options to buy another 10 CS300s.

The announcement marks the largest single order for the CSeries since Republic Airways agreed to acquire 40 CS300s more than four years ago, in February 2010.

Macquarie AirFinance chairman Stephen Cook says the deal fits into its strategy of “seeking carefully considered transactions to expand the reach of our successful aircraft leasing business”.

The CSeries CS100 test fleet has resumed operations earlier this month after a 100-day hiatus caused by an engine oil system malfunction, which has been corrected by Pratt & Whitney.

The second test prototype, FTV-2, activated normal mode of the fly-by-wire system for the first time earlier this week.

“We anticipate continued momentum in the CSeries aircraft programme as we confirm our performance predictions for the aircraft,” says Bombardier Commecial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone.

Source: FlightGlobal.com