Bombardier C-series launched

Bombardier today launched the new C-series aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show. This new family of jets is of 110 – 150 seat capacity. There family consists of two aircraft, C110 for 100 to 125 passengers and C130 for 120 to 145 passengers. The launch customer is Lufthansa and the aircraft are to enter service in 2013.

With this launch Bombardier breaks into the space dominated by Airbus and Boeing. For both the launch means they will have more competition for the B737-600 , B737-700 and for A318. But it also means direct competition for Embraer E-series or “E-jets”

Though the C-series seems to boast of same specs as low end B737 and A320 family, the two are not ready to acknowledge the same. They have reasons to do so. Being a part of a large family, the 318s and 737-700s offer cost savings to airlines in many operational aspects. The same crew can be used to fly any of the family, and the engineering staff need not undergo extensive training for new aircraft. For Bombardier to be able to penetrate this space, they will have to offer much more than 10% operational savings they claim of.

There is no doubt that the market for smaller jets exits. Both Airbus and Boeing have been selling decent numbers for their products. Embraer claims to have 850 firm orders for their E-jets. This just shows the existence of market where Bombardier will have to carve a niche for itself. Apart from the existing competition, China too is entering the fray. It has launched “Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China” (CACC), the first aircraft planned is 100-120 seater airliner and also plans to launch regional jets.

The competition is hoting up in the smaller airliner market. And with any other market, more competition will ultimately benefit the customer.