Korean Air firms up order for CS300 aircraft from Bombardier

Bombardier CS300 in Korean Air colours

A letter of intent from Korean Air to acquire ten CS300 aircraft from Bombardier Aerospace has now been converted into a firm order. The letter of intent was signed by Korean Air on June 21 at the Paris Air Show. The transaction also includes options on ten CS300 aircraft and purchase rights for an additional ten CS300 aircraft.

The firm order makes Korean Air, South Korea's flagship airline, the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft in Asia. The airline currently operates a fleet of 137 passenger and cargo jet aircraft to 115 cities in 39 countries.

Korean Air's CS300 aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan PW1521G engines. Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the CSeries family of aircraft combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements in 2013 and beyond.

It is estimated that the CSeries aircraft family, still in its design phase, will offer a 15 per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20 per cent fuel burn advantage, greatly reduced noise and emissions as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km). It will also provide passengers with widebody-style seating in a single-aisle aircraft.

With the Korean Air transaction, firm orders for the CSeries family of airliners increases to 133 aircraft. Other customers include Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (30 CS100 aircraft), Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and three CS100 aircraft), Braathens Aviation (five CS100 and five CS300 aircraft), a well-established, unidentified airline (three CS100 aircraft), an unidentified major network carrier (10 CS100 aircraft) and an unidentified European customer (10 CS100 aircraft). These customers have also taken 119 options and 10 purchase rights on CSeries jetliners.