Dubai 2011: Atlasjet signs for 10 CS300s

The order from the Turkey-based operator is a first for the region.

Based on the list price of the CS300 airliner, a firm-order contract would be valued at $776 million and could increase to $1.18 billion if the five options were converted to firm orders.

Atlasjet chairman Murat Ersoy said: “There are several reasons why we selected Bombardier’s all-new CS300 aircraft. It has the best economics in its class; it is well suited for our unique operations in hot temperature environments and, based on its performance and economics, it will return the highest profitability in strategic markets.

With its offering of wide-body comfort in a single-aisle aircraft, it’s the right-sized platform for us.”

Guy Hachey, president and COO Bombardier Aerospace, said: “We consider airlines operating in Turkey and the Middle East to be prime candidates for CSeries aircraft.

“Airlines in this region face revenue and performance challenges as their current fleets are composed mainly of jet aircraft larger than the CSeries.

The CSeries gives airlines a right-sized solution, optimised for their environment and operation.”

• For some time Qatar Airways has been interested in buying the CSeries but yesterday at the airshow the airline’s CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said that his company was a lean organisation and had its hands full with other projects, although it’s still talking to Bombardier. He didn’t expect there to be an announcement this year.

Below: Celebrating the deal, from left, Chet Fuller and Guy Hachey from Bombardier and Murat Ersoy and Orhan Coskun from Atlasjet