A business jet version of the CSeries airliner and a revamp at the lower end of the Learjet range are among projects being evaluated by Bombardier, executives revealed this morning.
Speaking at a briefing for analysts and media, Steve Ridolfi, president of business aircraft, said he expected a VIP variant of the narrowbody to be a "decent contributor" to CSeries sales, and an eventual market for between six and 24 business jets a year in this category.
But he added that a business jet would have to "wait its turn" while Bombardier concentrates on bringing the -100 and -300 passenger versions to market.
Earlier in the show, Superjet International marked the first sale of a corporate version of the 70-90-seat Sukhoi Superjet 100, to charter company Comlux.
Embraer is also making inroads into this sector with the Lineage.
However, a CSeries business jet would slot into a larger cabin category, just below the Airbus ACJ320 and Boeing BBJ, officials said. Ridolfi also hinted Bombardier was "not standing still" on the Learjet range, beyond the Learjet 85, which is expected to enter service in 2013. But he refused to elaborate.
Bombardier Aerospace president Guy Hachey maintained he is "not happy" with the 18% market share of the Learjet 40XR, 45XR and 60XR. The Learjet brand, he said, "is here to stay. We are investing heavily in the brand."
Source: Flight Daily News
