Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Air Canada have signed a letter of intent (LOI) covering the purchase of 45 C Series CS300s and options for another 30. The contract includes conversion rights allowing Air Canada to convert delivery positions to CS100s. Bombardier values the prospective firm order at some $3.8 billion. 

The deal makes Air Canada the first North American mainline, international network carrier for the C Series. "We've been carefully assessing the capabilities of Bombardier’s C Series aircraft and its progress for some time,” said Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu. “The C Series will be a key element of our ongoing fleet renewal, which will result in Air Canada operating one of the world's youngest and most fuel efficient airline fleets.” Rovinescu added that the airline planned to use the aircraft to increase point-to-point service to domestic and transborder markets farther afield and as network feeders.

The commitment comes as a huge boost for the C Series program, whose slow sales and somewhat lackluster support from big network carriers such as Air Canada took some of the sparkle from what Bombardier considers a technological triumph. 

“A landmark order from a marquee and iconic customer like Air Canada is a very significant strategic marker for the C Series aircraft program, and we’re looking forward to further strengthening a relationship that spans 30 years,” said Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer. "The C Series aircraft has proven and exceeded its performance targets and can readily be used as a coast-to-coast mainline connector or to open direct flights to under-served destinations. “

“Our recent focus has been to add a large North American international network carrier to complement our orders in both Europe and Asia, and with Air Canada we are achieving our goal of creating a strong global footprint for the C Series aircraft,” added Bombardier CEO Alain Bellemare. “We are bolstered and energized by Air Canada’s confidence in the C Series aircraft program and very assured that the carrier's commitment--which is one of the largest to date for this aircraft--will be the catalyst for future orders in North America and around the world.”

The CS300 has completed more than 70 percent of its certification activities and remains on target for approval in mid-2016, according to Bombardier. Meanwhile, the manufacturer continues preparations to deliver the smaller CS100 to Swiss International Airlines in the second quarter of this year.