Bombardier speeds up work on CSeries jets

Bombardier is fleshing out its marketing strategy and engineering plans for its proposed CSeries family of small mainline airliners, despite not specifying which engines are under consideration.

"We wouldn't be going out and offering this aircraft to airlines if we didn't have proposals from engine suppliers that meet our requirements," said John Holding, Bombardier executive vice president of integrated product definition and planning for the CSeries, in a Flight International report. "We're confident that we do."

The CSeries family includes standard- and extended-range versions of 110- and 130-seat airplanes. This capacity puts the CSeries between the Embraer 170/190 and the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320-family single-aisle airplanes. According to Flight International, Holding said he expects the launch of the CSeries to be approved "later this summer."