Canadian regional and lighter single-aisle airliner manufacturer Bombardier Commercial Aircraft believes that its new CSeries aircraft will prove to be well suited to Africa. The CSeries will be a family of two aircraft, the CS100 and the CS300. The prototype, a CS100, made its first flight on September 16. The CS100 will carry between 108 and 125 passengers and the CS300 from 130 to 160 passengers.

“It’s ideal for Africa,” asserts Bombardier VP sales: Africa and the Middle East Raphaël Haddad. “It’s economical and has good range. There are a lot of long, low-density routes in Africa and the CSeries has much better economics for these routes than other aircraft currently flying.

“Last year, we didn’t have many marketing campaigns for the CSeries progressing in Africa,” he notes. (Even so, they already have 177 firm orders.) “This year, we have a good number in Africa. We’re working hard on an African launch customer.”

The new aircraft is larger and more capable than a regional airliner but is lighter than other single-aisle airliners. It has been designed specifically for the 100-seat to 160-seat market segment. The company reports that the CSeries will reduce operating costs by 15%, bring down fuel consumption by 20% and cut noise emissions.

He reports that the flight test programme is going well. “We’re starting to pile up the hours required. The second prototype should fly very soon – in weeks, if not days. We’re on the right track. We’re already producing the third, fourth and fifth prototypes. Progress is on track.”

Africa is emerging as a signifi- cant market for Bombardier. “Things are going well. We see African campaign activity doubling over the next year,” he highlights. “The markets have become dynamic, not only in Southern and East Africa but all over Africa. That’s why we’re active everywhere in Africa. We’re very optimistic about our prospects in Africa.”

Bombardier forecasts that, over the next 20 years, the continent will acquire 700 new aircraft in the segments in which the company is active. “We have been able to sign a number of contracts for new aircraft, and more aircraft are being deployed on the continent. We are working on some deals in Africa which we hope to conclude by the end of the year.”

Currently, about 160 of the company’s aircraft are operated by African carriers, with the twin turboprop Q400 being the most widely used type, some 60 being employed by 14 airlines. The biggest user of Bombardier airliners is South African Express (SA Express), with about 25 aircraft, composed of Q400s and CRJ200 and CRJ700 regional jets. Second place is held by Ethiopian Airlines, with 13 aeroplanes – all Q400s. Arik Air of Nigeria is expanding its Bombardier fleet to 13 as well.

“We are increasing and intensi- fying our activities in Africa,” affirms Haddad. “We’re getting more attention across Africa. Our support footprint in Africa is increasing.” Last year, SA Express became Bombardier’s first authorised service facility in Africa, for nearly all its commercial aircraft types. Earlier this year, the Canadian company opened a regional support office (RSO) for Africa, at Lanseria International Airport, north-west of Johannesburg, which is now fully staffed. A spare parts depot is also being set up at Lanseria. “This, hopefully will be ready in the next few weeks.”

There is also a mini RSO in Ethiopia. Also this year, Bombardier announced it had drawn up a letter of intent with Ethiopian Airlines for the manu-facturer’s second authorised service facility in Africa – in Addis Ababa. “We’re seeking to complete that agreement as soon as possible,” he says. “All this shows our continuing commitment to the continent.”