Bombardier targeting year-end 2015 for CS100 aircraft's type certification; CSeries aircraft will enter service with SWISS, as the first operator, in first half of 2016.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) announced that SWISS will be the first customer to take delivery and operate the CSeries aircraft when the CS100 aircraft enters service in the first half of 2016. Bombardier also confirmed today that the CSeries aircraft will make its world debut at the International Paris Air Show being held at Le Bourget, France and will fly directly to Zurich, Switzerland in June as part of a demonstration organized for SWISS’ local stakeholders.
SWISS was previously announced as the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft program after parent Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Lufthansa) signed a firm purchase agreement in 2009 for 30 CS100 single-aisle aircraft for SWISS.
“Following the performance results and flight test data, we are pleased that the CSeries aircraft is very much in line with our performance expectations and sustainable fleet requirements. Therefore, we are looking forward to being both the launch customer and the first airline that will operate the CS100 aircraft,” said Harry Hohmeister, Chief Executive Officer, Swiss International Air Lines. “It’s an honour to mark this occasion with the confirmation that the CS100 aircraft will make an appearance at our hub in Zurich mid-June.”
“SWISS has long been an interactive and highly engaged customer; participating in the many development aspects of Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft – it’s only fitting that our friends from SWISS be the first to operate the CS100 aircraft in service,” said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“SWISS and its parent Lufthansa are known for their cutting-edge technical and operational excellence and we look forward to supporting them as our first operator.”
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