Aerospace 16 - airBaltic CS300 First Comercial Flight
The Bombardier C Series CS300 first scheduled commercial flight for Latvian launch carrier, airBaltic, took off from Riga to Amsterdam today (14th December, 2016). This will be the first of many flights for the new, innovative, 130 to 150-seat, CS300, taking place this year with many different airlines, and bodes well for the future.
Bombardier said it will increase the formal specifications for the C Series CS300, as the aircraft’s per seat and trip costs have already proven 2% better than its original brochure values.
“We are thrilled to be flying the first CS300 aircraft – the newest member of the most innovative and technologically advanced family of airliners in the world,” said Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer, airBaltic. “With its longer range capabilities, lower fuel burn and reduced noise emissions compared to other airliners in its segment, the CS300 aircraft will enable airBaltic to open new routes and connect people all across Europe, while offering passengers an unparalleled in-flight experience.
Excellent news for Bombardier. Now they have to make money.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting fact: Yesterday, the FAA authorized pilots type-rated to fly the CS100 aircraft may also fly the CS300 aircraft without additional training. This is not common with other aircraft types. Obviously, being able to transfer pilots from one to the other without further training should be quite valuable for airlines.
ReplyDeleteFollowers of the CSeries aircraft may be interested in these links:
ReplyDeletePodcast: Flying The C Series. Our Pilots Report
Our chief aircraft evaluation pilot, Fred George, flew the CS300. Our avionics and safety editor, John Croft, has done simulator runs. Executive Editor Jim Asker quizzes them on their impressions of Bombardier’s newest airliner.
Pilot Report: Bombardier’s C Series Sets New Standard
Our chief aircraft evaluation pilot says he has yet to fly a jetliner with more docile yet responsive handling qualities.
Apologies; it appears that the links are blocked by Aviation Week.
ReplyDeleteSwiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has taken delivery of the first of 20 Bombardier CS300 aircraft it has on order.
ReplyDeleteSWISS, the launch operator for the smaller CS100, will become the first airline to operate both variants of the CSeries when the CS300 enters service on the Geneva-London Heathrow route June 1.
SWISS previously took delivery of eight CS100s. Three CS300s have been delivered to Latvia’s airBaltic. The SWISS CS300 is the 12th CSeries aircraft delivered by Bombardier overall and the fifth delivered this year.
Bombardier plans to deliver 30-35 CSeries aircraft in 2017.