BA-CS300_airBaltic

Latvian flag carrier airBaltic has placed a firm order with Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier for ten new CS300 airliners, marking the airline’s transition to ‘green flying’ as part of its ‘ReShape’ business plan launched earlier this year.

Signing of the purchase contract follows a letter of intent (LOI) agreed between both companies at the UK’s 2012 Farnborough Air Show.

"The C300 airliner and the Q400 NextGen turboprop will optimise airBaltic’s network and fit in our ‘ReShape’ business plan due to their performance, economics, environmental benefits and passenger comfort."

The $764m deal also includes an option for a further ten CSeries jets, which when exercised will bring the total value of the contract to $1.57bn based on list prices.

airBaltic chief executive officer Martin Gauss said the business plan calls for the replacement of older aircraft with an exclusive all-Bombardier fleet that will eventually involve taking on more Q400 NextGen aircraft together with the new CSeries aircraft.

"The C300 airliner and the Q400 NextGen turboprop, each being the most efficient aircraft in its class, will optimise airBaltic’s network and fit perfectly in our ‘ReShape’ business plan due to their performance, economics, environmental benefits and passenger comfort," Gauss added.

AirBaltic currently operates a fleet of eight Q400 turboprops and direct flights to 60 destinations across Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, CIS and the Middle East from its hub in Riga, Latvia.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines and with 100 to 149 seats, the CSeries jet line has been designed to offer 20% fuel savings and 15% operating cost advantage.

As of 30 September, the company received 352 firm orders and commitments for CSeries jets from 14 customers worldwide, with 138 of them being firm orders.

Image: airBaltic’s new CS300 will join the existing fleet of eight Q400s. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.