MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Sep 26, 2014) - Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that a wholly owned affiliate of Macquarie AirFinance has signed a firm purchase agreement for 40 CS300 jetliners and has taken options on an additional 10 CS300 aircraft.

Macquarie AirFinance, which currently owns or manages 136 jet aircraft leased to 73 operators in 43 countries across six continents, will lease the CS300 aircraft to airline operators around the world. Delivery of the aircraft will be on a phased basis from 2017 to 2019.

"Macquarie AirFinance's selection of the CS300 aircraft is a strong endorsement of the aircraft type and we are looking forward to working with this unique lessor to expand the market for our 100%-new jetliner," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "We anticipate continued momentum in the CSeries aircraft program as we confirm our performance predictions for the aircraft."

"With its outstanding performance, transcontinental range, operating cost advantage, widebody comfort and cabin flexibility, the CS300 aircraft is tailor-made to meet the fleet replacement requirements of airlines and other operators around the world," said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

"We welcome the addition of Bombardier's CS300 to Macquarie AirFinance's portfolio. This agreement is consistent with Macquarie AirFinance's approach of seeking carefully considered transactions to expand the reach of our successful aircraft leasing business," said Stephen Cook, Chairman of Macquarie AirFinance. "The CS300 will allow us to offer our customers the only type of aircraft optimized for the upper end of the 100- to 150-seat market segment. Its advanced technologies, attractive economics and environmental attributes were key factors in our selection of the CS300 jetliner."

CSeries aircraft

Bombardier is creating the future with its CSeries aircraft -- the only 100%-new family of airliners specifically designed for the100- to 149-seat, single-aisle market. Benefitting from a clean-sheet design that includes leading-edge technology and systems integration, advanced materials and latest generation aerodynamics, the CSeries aircraft offer a 15 per cent* cash operating cost advantage, a 20 per cent* fuel burn advantage, exceptional operational flexibility, widebody comfort and an unmatched environmental and noise footprint.

The CS300 aircraft offers the best seat-mile cost in its category, making it the most profitable solution for mid-sized markets with up to 150 passengers per flight, and ideal for a range of routes from short-haul to longer transcontinental markets. With the extra capacity seating option, which provides up to 160 seats, the CS300 aircraft's productivity further improves -- offering airlines an average of four per cent* additional cash operating cost advantage per seat.

Including Macquarie's order, Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 563 CSeries aircraft, which include firm orders for 243 CSeries airliners.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to editors

Images of CSeries aircraft are posted with this news release at www.bombardier.com. Additional images and videos of CSeries aircraft are available at cseries.com. B-roll is available at bcamediafootage.com.

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.

More information on Macquarie AirFinance is available at Macquarie.aero.

* The CSeries aircraft are in the development phase. All data and specifications are estimates, subject to changes in family strategy, branding, capacity and performance during the development, manufacture and certification process. All performance references have been estimated based on a 500-nm North American operating environment and comparisons are to in-production aircraft.

Bombardier, CS300, CSeries and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.