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Canada-based Bombardier and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) have strengthened an existing strategic collaboration to jointly develop common features for their respective CSeries and C919 aircraft.

The move is part of Bombardier’s strategy to win more orders for its CSeries jets in China.

As the first phase of the collaboration agreement came to an end, the companies signed a letter of intent on 13 November, marking the beginning of partnership’s second phase.

The second phase agreement was signed by Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone and COMAC vice president Wu Guanghui.

Under phase two, both firms will explore possibilities for C919 and CSeries aircraft common systems, sales and marketing cooperation, expanded joint customer service capabilities, collaboration on product testing, certification, and upcoming product lines.

Bombardier spokesperson Haley Dunne was quoted by the Vancouver Sun as saying that the partnership to develop common features would make both aeroplanes appealing to customers worldwide, as well as reducing maintenance and training costs.

"Both firms will explore possibilities for C919 and CSeries aircraft common systems, sales and marketing cooperation, collaboration on product testing, certification, and upcoming product lines."

During the first phase, the companies collaborated on cockpit-crew interfaces, electrical systems, aluminum-lithium standards and specifications, and technical publications.

Last week, Bombardier announced the scheduled date for the first flight of its CSeries aircraft has been put back by six months to June 2013 because of supplier issues.

The smaller CS100 jet is expected to be delivered in June 2014, followed by CS300 in December 2014; with COMAC’s C919 scheduled for delivery in 2016.

However, Bombardier’s CSeries variants, which will feature 100 to 149 seats, are not expected to give competition to COMAC’s bigger C919s, which will have between 168 and 190 seats.

Image: Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone (centre left) and COMAC vice president Wu Guanghui signed an agreement to mark the beginning of second phase of the partnership. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.