Bombardier propels towards Asia with aerospace innovations

Nothing says "business mobility" better than a Learjet, the aircraft that shaped the business jet industry with its streamlined form, advanced features and unparalleled performance. Fifty years into service, the brand has become even more iconic, transporting world leaders and achievers more quickly, productively and safely - thanks to Bombardier Aerospace, the name behind the modern Learjet family.

"Over the years, Bombardier has identified a niche that was not being served. From there, it was able to design a product that pursued that niche competitively - from an operating cost perspective and from an acquisition cost perspective," says Michael McAdoo, vice-president for strategy and international business development. "Today, Bombardier's product family has an aircraft for every business application. For instance, our latest products, the Global 7000 and 8000, are the longest-range business jets available."

The company's commitment to innovation is reflected by its aircraft programme management, which manufactured the first clean-sheet commercial aircraft in the last 10 years. The CSeries, dubbed the future of Bombardier from a commercial aircraft perspective, is targeting a very specific niche.

"The CSeries is the ideal commercial jet in the 100- to 149-seat market, featuring 20 per cent better fuel consumption and 15 per cent better cash operating cost in its class," McAdoo says. "It shows the long-term perspective of the company. While some manufacturers and market segments have abandoned their new aircraft programmes amid the economic recession, Bombardier has continued investing because we know this will be a great programme for us over the long term."

Having been active in Asia for more than 40 years, Bombardier envisions the CSeries as a pivotal instrument in developing the region's aviation infrastructure. It sees China, in particular, as among the countries that will benefit the most from the aircraft's advantages.

Bombardier has an aerospace office in Shanghai, providing a window to China. It has also selected civilian and defence aircraft manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation as the supplier for the CSeries aircraft's centre fuselage.