Bombardier more than halves C-Series aircraft delivery forecast

Canadian aircraft-maker cites delays in engine deliveries for decision

A Bombardier C-Series aircraft  at the company’s production facility in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. Photograph: Patrick Doyle/Bloomberg
A Bombardier C-Series aircraft at the company’s production facility in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. Photograph: Patrick Doyle/Bloomberg

Bombardier more than halved its C-Series aircraft delivery forecast for the year at a time when the Canadian company is struggling to win orders for the new commercial narrow-body planes.

The aircraft- and train-maker cut its C-Series delivery forecast to seven from 15 aircraft citing engine delivery delays by its supplier Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies.

Bombardier also said it expected its full-year revenue to be at the lower end of its previously announced range.

Latest blow

The delay in deliveries is the latest blow to the C-Series programme, which took years to get off the ground, hurt by production delays and cost overruns.

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The company has since secured a $1 billion investment for the programme from the province of Quebec and is in talks with the Canadian government about further funding.

Bombardier finally unveiled the C-Series aircraft more than a year ago to fanfare and high expectations, but has struggled with delays and slow sales.

Bombardier said it now expects to be close to the lower end of the $16.5 billion-$17.5 billion revenue range for the full year. However, the company reaffirmed its 2016 revenue and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) guidance, on a consolidated basis. – Reuters