OREANDA-NEWS.  Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Riga, Latvia-based Air Baltic Corporation AS (airBaltic) is the previously announced undisclosed customer that converted three option aircraft to firm on the original order contract in February 2014. The original order for 10 firm airliners with options for 10 more was finalized on December 20, 2012.
 
Based on the list price of the CS300 airliner, the three firm aircraft order is valued at approximately USD 228 million US.
 
“As airBaltic moves forward in its business strategy and fleet optimization plan, it needs to take advantage of all the available opportunities for growth beyond 2016, and the all-new CS300 airliner continues to be the best fit hence we elected to exercise those available options. With its advanced technologies, the aircraft is optimized for our market sizes and will be an excellent companion to the 12 Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprops in our fleet,” said Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer, airBaltic. “The superb economics of the aircraft and the delivery timeframe that is available to us are also key factors in our decision to add additional Bombardier’s CS300 airliners to our network.”
 
“The CSeries aircraft’s outstanding attributes – including reduced noise and emissions – provide immense opportunities for airBaltic as it moves to position itself for growth and new market development,” said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We are pleased that airBaltic, recognized as one of the world’s most innovative airlines, is moving forward with an all-Bombardier fleet and business plan that will take full advantage of the CSeries airliner’s unmatched technologies, operational flexibility and efficiencies.”
 
Established in 1995, airBaltic is the main carrier in the Baltic region and operates direct flights out of Riga, Latvia and serves 60 destinations spanning Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States and the Middle East with a fleet of 25 aircraft.