Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Only days ago it was far from a foregone conclusion, but the arrival of a Bombardier CSeries flight test vehicle here in Dubai marks the highlight of Bombardier’s presence on the show’s static display line. Taking a break from a frenetic flight test schedule, the CSeries CS100 in the livery of launch customer Swiss International Airlines made the trip to the Middle East from Mirabel, Quebec just as Canadian aviation authorities underwent preparations to award type certification by the end of the year. Bombardier (Chalets A1-A3) has set a first-half 2016 target date for first revenue service with Swiss.

 


The airplane’s appearance at the show comes just days after the province of Quebec committed to investing $1 billion in the beleaguered program, giving it a 49.5-percent stake in a new limited partnership in which the Canadian company would own the remaining 50.5 percent. According to the company, the sides negotiated the deal “at arms length,” meaning it won’t “materially” affect control of the company.

 


The new investment by the Quebec government followed a failure by Bombardier and Airbus to reach an agreement over the reported transfer of a stake in the program to the European airframer. Both Bombardier and Airbus confirmed that the two companies had explored “certain business opportunities” together, but neither offered any explicit details of the talks.

 


During its recent third-quarter earnings call, Bombardier noted it took a $3.2 billion charge related to some two years of CSeries schedule delays.

 


The agreement between Bombardier and Quebec calls for two equal installments on April 1 and June 30, respectively. As part of the deal, Bombardier has agreed it to maintain all operations and other corporate activities in the province for at least 20 years.

 


The rescue bid belies Bombardier’s past efforts to dismiss suggestions that it didn’t control sufficient resources to overcome sluggish sales of the airplane and a two-year delay to certification, now scheduled for late this year. Bombardier still hasn’t reached its target of selling 300 CSeries aircraft before scheduled certification. Cost overages and a paucity of order deposits prompted it to raise $3 billion in debt and equity this year and announce plans to sell part of its train business to further boost its balance sheet.

 


All told, Bombardier recorded a third-quarter loss of $4.9 billion resulting from the CSeries charge and another $1.2 billion charge related to the canceled Learjet 85 program.

 


Bouncing Back

 


Still, Bombardier CEO Alain Bellemare struck an upbeat tone in statements released just ahead of the call. “After just a few months, we have strengthened the management team, we have conducted in-depth reviews of our business and have a much clearer picture of what we need to do,” he said. “We are taking the right actions and we have solidified our liquidity position, giving us the confidence to execute our long-term strategic plan.

 


“This partnership comes at a pivotal time, with the CSeries on the verge of certification. The market is there, our leadership is in place, we have the best product and with the support of the government, we are ready to make this aircraft a commercial success.”

 


Here in Dubai, other Bombardier products to grace the display line include Abu Dhabi Aviation’s Q400 turboprop, a CRJ900 regional jet from longtime customer Petroleum Air Services, a Learjet 75, a Challenger 350 and a Global 6000 business jet.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

CSeries Takes Break From Flight Testing In Dubai

Last minute decision to bring a CSeries to the Dubai Airshow despite busy flight test schedule.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

Curt Epstein

Some models are seeing high demand, others not so much

Broker: Preowned Cessna Citation Market Remains Mixed

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

2015 Dubai Airshow

More In Aircraft