Turkey's Atlasjet signs for up to 15 Bombardier CS300 Airliners

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Atlasjet Havacilik A.S. of Istanbul, Turkey has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire 10 CS300 jetliners and take options on a further five CS300 aircraft.

Based on the list price of the CS300 airliner, a firm-order contract would be valued at $776 million US, and could increase to $1.18 billion US if the five options were converted to firm orders.

"There are several reasons why we selected Bombardier's all-new CS300 aircraft," said Murat Ersoy, Chairman, Atlasjet. "The CS300 aircraft has the best economics in its class; it is well suited for our unique operations in hot temperature environments; and, based on its performance and economics, it will return the highest profitability in strategic markets. With its offering of widebody comfort in a single-aisle aircraft, it is the right-sized platform for us."

"We consider airlines operating in Turkey and the Middle East to be prime candidates for CSeries aircraft," said Guy C. Hachey, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "Airlines in the region face revenue and performance challenges as their current fleets are composed mainly of jet aircraft larger than the CSeries aircraft. The CSeries aircraft gives airlines a right-sized solution optimized for their environment and operation."

Founded in 2001, Atlasjet operates 17 aircraft on domestic and international routes with scheduled and charter services. Atlasjet is operated and managed by Ersoy Turistik Servisleri (ETS), a conglomerate of travel companies with tourism offices across Turkey. Atlasjet operates domestic scheduled passenger services and regular charter flights to cities across Europe, Kazakhstan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Operating from its main base at Atatürk International Airport, Istanbul, the airline also has hubs at Adnan Menderes Airport, Izmir and Antalya Airport.

"The CSeries aircraft has the range and payload capability that meet our mission requirement," said Orhan Coskun, Chief Executive Officer, Atlasjet. "The CSeries aircraft has excellent operational flexibility and that's what we need."

Bombardier forecasts that Turkey will play a key role in the transformation of the aviation industry in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Carriers in the region, especially in Turkey and the Middle East, have consistently reported increased annual revenues and capacity growth.

Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the 100 per cent new CSeries family of aircraft 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 family of aircraft's clean-sheet design is ensuring that it 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.

Bombardier has booked firm orders for 133 CSeries airliners from Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (30 CS100 aircraft), Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and three CS100 aircraft), Korean Air (10 CS300 aircraft), Braathens Aviation (five CS100 and five CS300 aircraft), an unidentified major network carrier (10 CS100 aircraft), an unidentified European customer (10 CS100 aircraft) and a well-established, unidentified airline (three CS100 aircraft). The CSeries aircraft program has also booked options for 119 aircraft and purchase rights for 10 aircraft from these customers, as well as an LOI for up to 30 CSeries aircraft from Ilyushin Finance Co.