Airbus, BO Delays Hamper CSeries Sales

The massive problems getting the Boeing 787 and the Airbus 380 delivered have made customers wary of new aircraft programs hampering sales efforts for Bombardier’s 100- to 130-seat CSeries scheduled on the market in 2013, according to Bloomberg. Lufthansa is the only customer and it said it would make a commitment beyond a letter of interest by year-end which gives it until January 31 to make the end of Bombardier’s fiscal year. The aircraft contains more carbon fiber and is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s new Geared Turbofan. Teal Group’s Richard Aboulafia told Bloomberg he gave the aircraft a 50/50 chance. “Technological risk, weak airline traffic and low fuel prices all work against new aircraft programs,” said Vice President Richard Aboulafia. “Those are three great reasons not to be in a new jetliner program today. We just don’t see it happening.”