Airbus to Acquire Majority of Bombardier C Series Program on July 1

In a press release, Airbus explained it will next month acquire most of the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) comprised of Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Québec (IQ). Bombardier describes its C Series as a single-aisle commercial jet aimed at the 100 to 150-seat market, built with advanced aluminum and composites and boasting 18 percent lower costs per passenger.

The main C series office and primary assembly line will be located in Mirabel, Québec and will use Airbus’s “worldwide influence to benefit production, marketing and sales of the airplane,” the planemaker said. The Airbus-Bombardier partnership was announced last October after the C Series project faced risks due to rising costs, slow sales and production delays.

“Airbus will work with its partners Bombardier and IQ to fully unlock the C Series’ potential and create significant new value for customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and the communities in which the partnership operates,” Airbus said.

The C Series is projected to claim a significant share of an estimated need for 6,000 aircraft in the 100 to 150-seat market which will result in a second final assembly line being created for the C Series in Mobile, Alabama. This will aid supplying the aircraft to American airline customers, according to Airbus.

Alain Bellemare, president and CEO of Bombardier said, “Airbus’ unmatched global scale, strong customer relationships and operational expertise are necessary ingredients for unleashing the full value of the aircraft. Together, we will create tremendous new value and opportunities for airlines, suppliers, shareholders and employees.”