Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier has been dealt another blow in the company’s search for orders of its new C Series aircraft family. Canada’s WestJet has stated that it does not see a fit for the airplane in its current fleet plans. The new C Series airplane has a seating capacity range of between 100 and 150 seats. WestJet reports that this size aircraft is too small for its main route services going forward, and too big for its regional routes. WestJet is currently focusing on utilizing 168 seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft for its main service routes, and has 25 of the new Boeing 737 Max 7, and 40 of the 737 Max 8 airplanes currently on order. For its regional feeder network, WestJet does operate Bombardier’s Q400 turboprop aircraft. The airline does operate some smaller jet aircraft, but it’s looking to offload these airplanes going forward. The airline recently announced that it sold 10 of its smaller Boeing 737 series 700 airplanes to Southwest Airlines, as part of its strategy to move away from the smaller 130 seat models.
In other WestJet news, the airline has also stated that it’s seeking to slow down the scheduled deliveries of its Bombardier Q400 turboprops it has on order. The giant drop in oil prices has had a devastating effect on the economy of the Canadian province of Alberta, and has resulted in dropping passenger traffic numbers in the effected areas. WestJet also stated it’s in discussions with the Boeing Company to possibly defer delivery of 3 new 737 airplanes, and has plans to return 9 leased aircraft to their owners in the next 2 years.
Bombardier currently has 243 firm orders for the C Series aircraft, with the programs cost $2 billion over its original budget of $3.4-billion. The Quebec government recently stepped in to help shore up Bombardier’s balance sheet, with a $1 billion US financial contribution to the program.
