Bombardier lands major C Series order
Bombardier secured a long-anticipated North

Bombardier
secured a long-anticipated North American launch customer for its new C Series airliners in late February, when Indianapolis-based Republic Airways placed a firm order for 40 CS300s. The purchase contract, which also includes options for another 40 CS300s, calls for deliveries to start in the second quarter of 2015. Republic has chosen a single-class, 138-passenger cabin configuration, featuring 25 so-called stretch seats. The larger of the two C Series models, the CS300 can hold as many as 145 passengers, assuming a seat pitch of 30 inches.

Based on the list price for the CS300, Bombardier places the value of the firm order at $3.06 billion. If Republic exercises all its options, the value could increase to $6.34 billion, according to the manufacturer.