Bombardier delivers its first CS300
The first ever delivery of a new Bombardier CS300 narrow-body aircraft took place on Monday, November 28 in Mirabel, Canada. Bombardier announced the launch operator Latvian airBaltic accepted delivery and is planning to introduce the aircraft into service on December 14.
The all-new CS300 of the Latvian flag carrier will start from servicing Amsterdam from Riga. The company hopes the Canadian-made aircraft will help expand its route network between the Baltic region and European destinations.
CS300 is also expected to start flying from Riga to Abu-Dhabi as part of the code-sharing program between airBaltic and Emirates-based Etihad Airways. Particularly, the Latvian carrier will be flying passengers to Abu-Dhabu hub and then deliver them further on to destinations in Northern and Eastern Europe.
AirBaltic has placed an order for 20 CS300s. Until recently, the company was expecting to take delivery of five aircraft this year, however, the shortage of available Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines might have affected the aircraft delivery schedule. So far no details have been reported by either manufacturer or the operator.
The coming 145-seat CS300 are supposed to substitute airBaltic’s ageing Boeing 737-300/500s. The airline now operates five 120-seat Boeing 737-500s and seven 142-146 seat Boeing 737-300s as well as 12 76-seat Bombardier Q400 NextGen.
The launch operator of smaller CS100s is Swiss, which has already received three aircraft this year.
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