Bombardier says the CSeries will be the first airliner design optimised for the 100- to 150-seat segment – a market forecast to be worth $250 billion for 5,800 aircraft over the next 20 years.
The CSeries aircraft is currently a four-model family with two fuselage lengths – the 110-seat C110 and 130-seat C130 – each with two weight and range options: standard (STD) and extended range (ER). Seating is in a five-abreast, three-by-two layout.
The baseline range capability for each size is 3,330km (1,800nm), with the increased-weight ERs offering an additional 2,220km to provide US transcontinental range.
Following board authority to offer this month, Bombardier intends to formally launch the programme this year to enable it to start the joint development phase next year and detailed design in 2007, with the first flight scheduled to follow a year later.
The 110-seater will be the first to enter service, in 2010, being aimed at what Bombardier describes as the "market-entry sweet spot". The larger C130 is due to follow a year later.
Bombardier is promising "15% lower cash operating costs over current products" and is targeting mature reliability levels – 99% – "out of the box".
Source: Flight International
