Air Carrier in the Americas Signs Letter of Intent for Up to 30 Bombardier CSeries Airliners

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 19, 2012) - Bombardier Aerospace announced today that an airline, which is based in the Americas, has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire 12 CS100 airliners with options on an additional 18. At this time the airline has requested to remain undisclosed.

Based on the list price of the CS100 airliner, a firm-order contract would be valued at approximately $870 million US and could increase to $2.08 billion US should the 18 options also be converted to firm orders.

"We are thrilled with the worldwide momentum of interest being shown for the CSeries aircraft program and we are pleased that customers in both our traditional aviation markets and growth markets are exploring opportunities and centering business cases around the use of the CSeries jetliners," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "As the CS100 aircraft readies for a milestone year of firsts, we look forward to welcoming yet another customer to the CSeries aircraft family. This customer selected the CS100 jetliners based on the flexibility and superior operational efficiencies offered only by the CSeries aircraft family."

As of September 30, 2012, Bombardier had booked orders and commitments for 352 CSeries aircraft that include firm orders for 138 CSeries airliners.

The 14 customers that have joined the CSeries aircraft program - nine with firm orders - include major network carriers, national and premier carriers, low-cost airlines, leasing companies and a full service provider to airline partners.

CSeries First Flight Test Vehicle and Test Airframe

The wings for the first CSeries flight test vehicle (FTV1) are being mated to the fuselage at the company's final assembly facility in Mirabel, Québec, after arriving from Bombardier Aerospace Belfast in December. Assembly of FTV1 is progressing smoothly in preparation for first flight by the end of June 2013. Additionally, assembly of the Complete Airframe Static Test (CAST) article for the CSeries aircraft is complete and the instrumentation and loading system is being finalized for the start of airframe tests in January.

CSeries aircraft

Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the 100 per cent new CSeries aircraft family combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements in 2013 and beyond. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, the CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15* per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20* per cent fuel burn advantage. The CSeries aircraft's clean-sheet design is ensuring that the aircraft will achieve greatly reduced noise and emissions, as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km)*. The CSeries aircraft will be up to 12,000 lbs. (5,443 kg)* lighter than other aircraft in the same seat category and will provide passengers with a best-in-class, widebody cabin environment in a single-aisle aircraft.

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 Montréal, 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, 2011, we posted revenues of $18.3 billion USD. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to editors

Images of CS100 aircraft and a photo of CSeries FTV1 are posted with this press release at: www.bombardier.com.

Additional information on CSeries aircraft is available at: www.cseries.com.

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

* The CSeries aircraft are in the design phase. All data and specifications are estimates, subject to change in family strategy, branding, capacity and performance during the design, manufacture and certification process. Performance has been estimated based on a 500-nm North American operating environment.

Bombardier, CS100, CSeries and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.