Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s second CS300 flight test vehicle has embarked on a series of European and Middle Eastern route-proving flights alongside first operator airBaltic of Latvia.
The flights, which will use airBaltic air and ground operational practices, will be operated from the airline’s base in Riga, and include stops in Vilnius, Lithuania; Tallinn, Estonia; and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The route-proving flights are carried out to provide a good indication of how the aircraft will perform in typical day-to-day airline operations by observing airfield performance, airport turnaround times, and on-ground operations at various airports.
“It’s exciting for the airBaltic team to welcome the CS300 to its home base in Riga for the first time to see the aircraft simulate operations in our route system that covers much of Europe – all in advance of our first delivery later this year,” said Martin Gauss, CEO, airBaltic.
“Because of the 99% commonality between the CS100 and CS300 aircraft and the diverse routes that award-winning airline airBaltic operates, we are expecting to see a perfect blend of performance, outstanding reliability and operational ground support,” added Rob Dewar, vice-president, C Series, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“Our teams are working closely together as we ramp up activities for a real indication of how the CS300 will operate in the network and we are confident that its entry-into-service with airBaltic later this year will be impressive.”
With a firm order for 20 CS300 airliners, which will eventually join airBaltic’s 12 Q400 turboprops, the airline will gradually transition to an all-Bombardier fleet.
September 29, 2016
