Bombardier’s C Series has a lot riding on its debut at the Paris Air Show. People are looking it over, and considering just how it fits into future business plans.
The success of the C Series is important to Canada. Aerospace is a key part of our economy. In 2012, Quebec’s aerospace industry, which is home to Bombardier, posted $12 billion in sales. This is 55 per cent of the sales generated in Canada. According to Canada Economic Development statistics, there are 212 enterprises, most of them small and medium-sized businesses employing almost 43,000 people in the aerospace sector.
The C Series is Bombardier’s entry into the lucrative and growing global market for 100 to 160 seat-jets. But Brazil’s Embraer is introducing models in the same range so the competition is intensifying.
Agreement with China
Yesterday, Bombardier confirmed it signed a new agreement with Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac, to enhance the commonalities between the CSeries and the C919 widebody aircraft from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd.
The agreement will require the two companies to collaborate on areas of non-flying flight testing, sales and marketing, and customer services related to training, technical publications and parts distribution. But there are no orders for the C Series from China, so far.
Bombardier has received commitments for 388 CSeries aircraft, including 177 firm orders and plans to be in the air next year, four years before Embraer.
The Paris Air Show continues at Le Bourget airport until June 23rd. In the following week, the first of Bombardier’s C Series will take its first flight.
Carmel Kilkenny spoke with Isabelle Dostaler, Professor of Strategy at the John Molson School of Business to find out more about the future of Bombardier’s innovation.
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