Jun 26 2013

One month delay to first CSeries flight announced

Bombardier_logoOn June 26th, 2013 Bombardier announced a further delay of a month for the first flight of the prototype CSeries aircraft.

This delay results in the program being seven months past its end of 2012 original target date, assuming that the flight occurs by the end of July 2013.

Bombardier indicated that additional time was needed for upgrades to the aircraft’s flight control system which were described as being minor in nature and others being on safety recommendations by the test pilots..

The company said that “in order to enhance the effectiveness of the flight program, Bombardier extended the timeline slightly to allow for additional software upgrades for improved system maturity and functionality.”

Bombardier also indicated that no further postponements of the CSeries’ first flight were expected.

Jun 21 2013

New startup Air Lituanica to operate Embraer 170 and 175s

Air Lituanica Embraer 175

New European start-up airline Air Lituanica announced on June 21st, 2013 that it had completed agreements to operate a pair of Embraer E-Jets with scheduled service to begin on June 30th with one Embraer 170.

In July, Air Lituanica will add an Embraer 175 leased from ECC.

The E170 and E175 are respectively configured with 76 and 86 seats in single class layout.

The airline plans to operate the aircraft on routes between Vilnius and Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Munich and Moscow. The airline’s future plans include adding up to four more aircraft to its fleet in the next three years.

Jun 20 2013

Air Costa leases three Embraer 170s and purchases one Embraer 190

Air Costa Embraer 170

On June 20th, 2013, Embraer announced Air Costa has leased two Embraer 170s ECC Leasing and also purchased one new Embraer 190 from Embraer. The order was already included in Embraer’s backlog as an undisclosed customer.

Embraer has delivered over 950 E-Jets which are operated by 65 airlines in 47 countries.

Jun 20 2013

Conviasa converts options for seven Embraer 190s

Conviasa LogoOn June 20th, 2013 Embraer announced that Conviasa converted options the airline held for seven Embraer 190s to firm orders. The original contract had been signed in July of 2012. The airline holds options on a further seven aircraft.

This order raises the airline’s aircraft on order to thirteen Embraer 190s.