Bombardier CSeries Maintaining ‘Critical Path’
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone, left, and CSeries program head Rob Dewar take questions from the press and financial analysts following last Thursday’s formal introduction of the CSeries first flight-test vehicle. (Photo: Gregory Polek)
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone, left, and CSeries program head Rob Dewar take questions from the press and financial analysts following last Thursday’s formal introduction of the CSeries first flight-test vehicle. (Photo: Gregory Polek)

Bombardier displayed its determination to cement the credibility of the new CSeries narrowbody last Thursday during a formal unveiling of the program’s first flight-test vehicle (FTV1) at its factory in Mirabel, Quebec. In the process, it issued a bold challenge to Boeing and Airbus with the launch of a higher-capacity CS300, capable of carrying as many as 160 passengers. Latvia’s AirBaltic, which had placed a firm order late last year for 10 CS300s, has opted for a 148-seat version of the newly enlarged airplane, stretched two feet beyond its original length of 125 feet to accommodate the extra capacity Bombardier has specified.