"A year ago, people were wondering if this aircraft would ever see the light," said Alain Bellemare, Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier, on the side lines of the annual International Air Transport Association (IATA) meeting, held in Dublin in June. "Now they are wondering if it ever will be profitable." As criticism grew in the industry about the delays to the Bombardier C Series and reportedly aggressive, non-sustainable pricing, the Canadian manufacturer had to make a point. With development costs hitting $5 billion and the project almost three years behind schedule, the C Series and its assorted problems has put Bombardier deep in the red. Business jet programmes were either cancelled or pushed out, a 30% stake in its railway division had to be sold, and the company is relying on support by both the Quebec and the Canadian federal government. Even after the recent Delta Air Lines order for 75 aircraft (see A Big Deal, June 2016, p30-31), the total order book stands at only 325 firm commitments, and Bombardier is desperate to drum up more customers.
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