Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has emerged as a potential CSeries leasing customer after the aircraft conducted its first flight last month.
In an interview with Flightglobal, NAC’s chairman Martin Møller says the lessor is "highly interested" in the CSeries programme.
“We are in talks with the Canadian manufacturer and some customers about their leasing requirements.
“We have not placed an order yet but we are seriously considering it. It is not a matter of if, but a matter of when.”
The lessor has exposure to Bombardier’s Q400s and CRJ1000s through direct orders and is confident about adding the CSeries to its offering.
“We are enthusiastic about the CSeries. We like what we have seen so far. We are pleased with the aircraft performance. The CSeries is the best aircraft family in this segment in terms of economics and weight.”
The lessor is keen on the CSeries family and is likely to opt for the larger variant, the CS300 model.
When asked why NAC has now an interest in the CSeries programme, Møller says the lessor has evolved as the market requires new and larger aircraft.
“The aircraft has not changed, we have. We think the CSeries is a more relevant aircraft family for us now.”
Møller adds that NAC is looking at the CSeries with a view to grow with it organically.”
He anticipates an "avalanche of interest and orders" once the CSeries enters into service.
Bombardier conducted the first CSeries flight on 16 September and chief executive Pierre Beaudoin said the milestone event could spur orders from some customers who are still undecided about buying the small narrowbody aircraft.
The programme has recorded 177 firm orders.
Møller also reveals that NAC has an interest in Bombardier CRJ900 programme.
The lessor is in talks with parties about sale and leasebacks transactions.
“The CRJ900 is an excellent aircraft in terms of overall economics. It is mature aircraft and its commonality with the other members of the CRJ family helps,” Møller says.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
