Bombardier CSeries Flies, but Questions Remain

Stephen Pope

Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 08:58 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Bombardier's CSeries regional jetliner successfully completed its long-awaited first flight, initiating a 12-month certification program.
The development program has been challenged by rising costs ($3.4 billion estimate) and slow sales, with 177 orders falling short of the 300 target.
The all-composite jet, available in versions seating 110-160 passengers, faces stiff competition from major aerospace manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer.

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Bombardier’s CSeries regional jetliner made its long-awaited first flight on Monday in Montreal, kicking off a development program that has been marred by questions about slow sales and rising costs.

The cost estimate for the all-composite jet, which will seat as many as 160 passengers, is $3.4 billion, according to Bombardier. The Canadian manufacturer has 177 orders for the CSeries, well short of the 300 it hoped to have in hand by this stage.