Bombardier delivers first C Series aircraft to SWISS

Montreal – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has delivered the first C Series aircraft to launch operator Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).

 

“SWISS is proud to be the first airline to take title of the C Series – the world’s newest, innovative and technologically advanced aircraft. The aircraft performed exceptionally well during its acceptance flight, as expected,” said Thomas Klühr, CEO, SWISS. “Along with the CS300 aircraft that we’ve also ordered, the C Series fleet will allow us to perfectly tailor our capacity to demand on various European routes, while providing an excellent travel experience for our passengers.

 

“We congratulate Bombardier and our own SWISS teams on this milestone delivery as we now turn our focus to the CS100 aircraft’s entry into service,” Klühr added.

 

“Today is a significant moment for Bombardier, SWISS and their employees – many of whom have dedicated years to designing, building, marketing and defining the flight network for the C Series aircraft,” said Fred Cromer, president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. 

 

“A new aircraft program like the C Series aircraft comes around once in a lifetime and it’s a proud achievement that belongs to many,” said Rob Dewar, vice president, C Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “This first delivery is the culmination of hard work, collaboration, and dedication by thousands of employees, partners and suppliers.”

 

“With its state-of-the art engines, systems, and materials technology, I am confident the C Series will be a welcome addition to our fleet,” said Peter Wojahn, chief technical officer, SWISS.

 

The first CS100 aircraft is scheduled to enter service with SWISS on July 15, 2016 with its maiden commercial flight taking passengers from Zurich to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. SWISS will gradually replace its Avro RJ100 fleet with the C Series aircraft. Additional C Series aircraft will be used to replace other existing aircraft and permit future growth. The CS100 aircraft will fly to Manchester, Prague, and Budapest with destinations Warsaw, Brussels, Nice, Stuttgart, Hanover, Milan, Florence, and Bucharest being added.

 

In a separate announcement, company officials announced Bombardier has closed its $1 billion investment by the Government of Québec in a newly created limited partnership, the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership, to which the assets, liabilities, and obligations of the C Series aircraft program were transferred. The disbursement of the first $500 million installment of the investment occurred on June 30, 2016, and the disbursement of the second $500 million installment is expected to occur on September 1, 2016.