CS100

Canada-based Bombardier has pushed its scheduled date for the first flight of its CSeries aircraft back by six months to June 2013 due to supplier delays in the delivery of components.

The maiden flight for the CSeries jetliner was originally scheduled for the end of 2012.

However, Bombardier expects the deliveries of CS100 airplanes to begin by mid-2014, with the CS300 variant to enter into service by the end of 2014.

The Montreal plane manufacturer, which has presence in the smaller regional jet market, is now eyeing to end the market domination of Boeing’s 737 and Airbus A320 aeroplanes with the bigger CSeries jets.

"The maiden flight for the CSeries jetliner was originally scheduled for the end of 2012."

Bombardier is spending $3.3bn for the CSeries programme and has received 352 orders to date.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, the CSeries jet family will feature 100 to 149 seats, are expected to offer 20% fuel savings compared with rival jets and a 15% operating cost advantage to airlines.

In August, Bombardier indicated that if it was anywhere between three and five months from the schedule date of the first flight, it would consider itself to be on schedule, reports Reuters.

Although the six month delay may not harm the company that much financially, its reputation in the market may take a dent considering that the latest announcement has come when the initial scheduled maiden flight was less than two months away.

Bombardier’s announcement of the postponement has come as it reported an increase in net earnings to $212m in the third quarter ended 30 September 2012, compared with $192m in the same period of fiscal 2011, while revenues dipped 6% to $4.3bn.

Image: Bombardier expects the deliveries of CS100 airplanes to begin by mid-2014. Photo: courtesy Bombardier.