Bombardier seeks new C Series megadeal to retain momentum

Bombardier anticipates another major order for the C Series jet next year following project-bolstering deals from Delta and Air Canada in 2016, and may announce a smaller contract this month. The Canadian planemaker is pursuing prospects including some high-volume opportunities and would like to gain a foothold in the low-cost airline segment next year, Colin Bole, senior VP for sales at its commercial aircraft unit, said Tuesday in London. Bombardier announced the latest C Series sale on Dec. 2, with Air Tanzania agreeing to buy two CS300 variants, taking the overall order tally to 360 planes. The manufacturer expects to have handed over a total of seven aircraft this year, five to initial customer Swiss and two to Air Baltic, with production curtailed by issues with the model’s Pratt & Whitney engines. Deliveries will step up to the originally planned 30 to 35 in 2017, he said. “We are not going to announce another megadeal this year, though there may be something smaller, but I’d say we’re hopeful of at least one more in 2017,” the executive said. <br/>