Bombardier, Chinese aircraft manufacturer pushing ahead with partnership

Quebec Premier Jean Charest reacts to Bombardier's approval for the launch of the new CSeries jet, in front of the company's CRJ1000 prototype plane at a news conference in the Bombardier plant in Mirabel, Que., Sunday, July 13, 2008. (Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

MONTREAL -- Bombardier and Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC are pushing ahead with talks on the second phase of their strategic collaboration after concluding an agreement to jointly develop four components for their respective CSeries and C919 aircraft.

Completion of the first phase of the agreement comes eight months after the Montreal-based manufacturer signed a deal to develop commonalities with China's larger wide-body airplane.

The two companies have agreed in the first phase to work together on cockpit-crew interfaces, electrical systems, aluminum-lithium standards and specifications, and technical publications.

They will now explore further commonalities on marketing and sales co-operation, expanded customer service capabilities and product testing and certification along with collaboration on future planes.

Bombardier said the deepening partnership will allow airlines to save money by operating both aircraft types, a key advantage that Boeing and Airbus have when trying to sell new aircraft to existing customers.

The developing partnership is expected to increase the likelihood of CSeries orders in China.

Bombardier last week delayed the entry into service of the smaller CSeries aircraft to June 2014, followed by the larger CS300 by December 2014. COMAC's C919 is set for delivery in 2016.

Bombardier is the world's third-largest commercial aircraft manufacturer and largest maker of trains. Founded in 2008, COMAC is China's main commercial aircraft company.