Porter To Get C Series

[MD2]

Get real MD2, Porter's order doesn't means sh!t to anybody. A WJ or AC order would be a very, very significant Canadian win to BBD.

This Porter order, touted as it was, smacks of Bombardiers desperation.

Sad days for a once great company.

Ok ace, I'm sure you think you have it all figured out, at the same time, aircraft manufacturers are in the business of selling airplanes, however many to whomever they can. Orders for 30 aircraft (possibly even more?) is no small order, especially if it showcases the real potential of the aircraft to urban operators around the world. You speak from emotions, but you'll find most decision-makers in the industry are more pragmatic.

[Maverick]

Ok ace, I'm sure you think you have it all figured out, at the same time, aircraft manufacturers are in the business of selling airplanes, however many to whomever they can. Orders for 30 aircraft (possibly even more?) is no small order, especially if it showcases the real potential of the aircraft to urban operators around the world. You speak from emotions, but you'll find most decision-makers in the industry are more pragmatic.

I get the intention MD2. Don't believe for a second that Bombardier ever planned this as an aircraft with "urban" operations as its primary mission.

The "C" series needs a blue chip order and they need it fast. WJ, AC and a myriad of other carriers could bring that. None have, that is telling.

A niche operator with an order for 30 airframes operating in a market protected from normal free market forces does not qualify.

My post was meant as commentary about BBD not Porter. I'll say it again, Bombardier has badly fumbled this one and it could bring the company down, I sincerely hope not but there may not be the political will to bail them out again.

[dagger]

According to one website tracking this, the A320neo family and 737MAX families have a combined 6287 firm orders, and with options and other soft orders that reaches 9112 airframes. Both are well past their breakeven order level, assuming costs don't skyrocket along the way.

The CSeries likely need 800 or more deliveries to reach break-even on the program. That's actually an old estimate, and the real number might be higher. In any case, the CSeries is nowhere near 800 orders. It doesn't even have 200 firm orders yet.

I'm rooting for it, but let's not make its situation out to be better than it is, which is bad, although I don't believe the company will disappear outright. A more likely scenario is a JV with a Chinese company.

[Boney]

The CBC yesterday reported that BBD will be issuing additional shares to raise money. Therefore, the taxpayer is on the sidelines which is ok with me.

[Guest]

Something to watch for:

Bombardier has set a three-day window next week to achieve first flight of the 135-160-seat CS300, the largest and most popular version of the CSeries family.

The first flight window between 26-28 February was set after Bombardier received an experimental flight permit from Transport Canada.

Long-term weather forecasts predict temperatures well below freezing and a slight chance of snow in the morning on 26 February, but little chance of precipitation the following two days.

“The CS300 aircraft will perform its maiden flight in the coming days,” says Rob Dewar, Bombarcier’s vice president leading the CSeries programme.

The flight test milestone for the CS300 is scheduled at a critical time in the life of the seven-year-old CSeries programme. Last week, Bombardier named Alain Bellemare as the new chief executive. The former United Technologies executive replaces Pierre Beaudoin, who replaces his father, Laurent, as chairman of the company.

The leadership shake-up came after investors have grown increasingly impatient with the pace of the development programme and Bombardier’s ability to sign up new customers.

Bombardier has booked 243 firm orders for the CSeries, of which three-fourths are fro the larger CS300.

Although CSeries sales pale in comparison to the bulging backlogs for Airbus and Boeingnarrowbodies, Bombardier executives have always insisted their goal is to sign 300 firm orders by entry into service of the CS100, which is currently scheduled two years late in the second half of 2015.

Four CS100 flight test vehicles have amassed more than 1,000 flight hours and “test results are looking great”, says Dewar.

Bombardier has said before that the flight test programme includes 2,400 flight test hours, but Beaudoin said on an earnings call on 12 February that number should be considered a general guideline rather than a specific target.

Although the CS100 will be the first to enter service, the programme’s future in large part rides on the success of the CS300 model. It competes directly against the two smallest Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies still in production as commercial airliners – the A319 and 737-700.

After a second test version of the CS300 begins flying, Bombardier plans to deliver the first operational aircraft about six months after entry into service of the first CS100.

The first CS100 completed first flight on 16 September 2013.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bombardier-opens-window-for-cs300-first-flight-409287/

[MD2]

...I'm rooting for it, but let's not make its situation out to be better than it is, which is bad, although I don't believe the company will disappear outright. A more likely scenario is a JV with a Chinese company.

My dear, if Air Canada with 13 billions in debt did not disappear and managed to wipe out its shares, give its employees a hefty pay-cut and its creditors less, it is unlikely that a manufacturing giant and a Canadian icon will disappear any time soon. Sure they got somewhat unlucky with the drop in oil prices, and the delays, but the product is second to none, new capital is being raised and the Quebec government is also ready to help. Life will go on as normal.

[moeman]

Are you suggesting that Bombardier will file for bankruptcy in the near future?

[Lando Calrissian]

Bankruptcy and purging of nepotism is the only way to get this doddering stegosaur back on track.

[Thebean]

Air Canada Responds to Developments at the Toronto Port Authority: No Support for Jets at Billy Bishop

Air Canada - Corporate - Finance

MONTREAL , April 2, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - On March 31 , at a public consultation for the Master Plan for the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport by the Toronto Port Authority (also known as Ports Toronto), the following became clear:

• The current Ports Toronto Master Planning exercise is restricted to one option - promoting an extension of the runway at both ends and removing the restrictions on jet aircraft to accommodate the stated business plan and objectives of Porter Airlines, despite opposition from the community and other carriers;
• No consideration appears to have been given to expanding turboprop operations at the airport (the preferred approach of Air Canada) - the effort remains focused on the interests of Porter Airlines as opposed to being a balanced review of other options for growth;
• Ports Toronto stated that it envisioned slot growth at the airport going from the current 202 to only 242 daily slots, which would allow for immaterial incremental slots for Air Canada and new entrants, if any; and
• Ports Toronto stated that it envisioned that if jets were approved, that a number of these slots would be sought by private jet operators – further reducing the number of slots available to commercial carriers such as Air Canada.

"Air Canada's position on this matter is crystal clear," stated Derek Vanstone , Air Canada's Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Government and Industry Affairs:

No Jets

"We do not support jets at Billy Bishop - we prefer to see a growing downtown airport focused on short haul passengers using modern turboprop aircraft, which would be more consistent with the spirit and intent of the original tripartite agreement at Billy Bishop. Port Toronto's focus on jets is not defensible as Billy Bishop can certainly prosper and grow as a turboprop airport, serving communities within the two hour range that can be accomplished with Toronto -assembled Bombardier Q400 aircraft."

Access to Slots

"We want fair and appropriate access to slots for Air Canada and other carriers to encourage real competition at Billy Bishop, similar to the situation that we find at other airports across the country where Porter has the ability to commence jet service at any time. Currently, Porter Airlines has been awarded over 85% of the slots and we are unable to serve more than one market, Montreal , despite huge demand from our customers for Ottawa , New York / Newark and other short haul markets. Moreover, if the slot growth at the airport was capped as proposed, and even if Air Canada was awarded all of these outstanding slots, it would be insufficient to allow us to commence even the most basic level of service to these new destinations. Indeed, slot caps of the sort being advanced by Ports Toronto can only benefit Porter and enhance its existing dominant position."

Terminal Rates and Charges

"We want a terminal rates and charges methodology that is significantly lower at this facility, more in keeping with rates and charges at other airports in Canada and the United States . Our concerns have only been heightened by the infrastructure spending being considered in the context of the Master Plan. We are currently reviewing our options in this regard, as previously stated."

"There is a tremendous opportunity for growth at this airport which is being completely ignored by the Ports Toronto management," noted Vanstone who continued to state that "this focus on the interests of a single stakeholder is simply irresponsible when you consider that Ports Toronto is an agency of the federal government who has a mandate to operate this public asset in the public interest."

[Super 80]

Air Canada is against the expansion of a facility they did everything in their power to destroy, repeatedly?

Wow, imagine that.

[j.k.]

I think they were the only operator there before Porter showed up, no? It was Porter that denied AC access wasn't it?

[Super 80]

Incompetence on an absolutely unprecedented scale on the part of Jazz management got AC turfed from the island, an ineffectual legal campaign launched by AC management kept them out and the TPA would have been on completely solid ground to keep them out after they effectively boycotted the slot allocation.

Jazz was told they were being evicted in the Fall of 2005, with that information they did absolutely nothing, the rest is history.

[MD2]

Let's not forget that City Express was there before, that was bankrupted by Air Canada. After that Air Canada had total control and monopoly over the island airport for about 18 years, but reduced its service and moved it to Pearson. The only time Air Canada has shown up at Island airport has been to bankrupt a competitor, that much is clear.

[Guest]

Another protest against Jets at the Island Airport

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/20/nojetsto-takes-porter-protest-to-the-water

NEWS TORONTO & GTA

NoJetsTO takes Porter protest to the water 100

BY JENNY YUEN, TORONTO SUN

FIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2015 07:03 PM EDT | UPDATED: SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2015 07:14 PM ED

TORONTO - As Porter planes took off in the distance, a flotilla of 50 people in kayaks, canoes and sailboats waded in Lake Ontario as part of a NoJetsTO protest Saturday on the waterfront.

Some 100 people on land took part in a rally on the south end of HTO Beach — in the Queens Quay W. and Rees St. area — to voice their concerns over plans to expand the runway of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to accommodate CS-100 jets Porter wishes to fly.

NoJetsTO piggy-backed on the revitalization of Queens Quay — from York to near Bathurst Sts. — after three years of construction that celebrated its re-opening with a massive 650-metre ribbon cutting.

“The waterfront is one of the great recreational spaces in the city,” said Trinity-Spadina MP Adam Vaughan, who attended the protest. “If the island airport (expansion) goes ahead, there is a 20-foot wall from the airport ... You can’t put a 20-foot wall in the middle of the harbour and cut off the sunset, cut off the view of the islands, and still have the same waterfront.”

Porter Airlines pitched the contentious plan to increase the main runway by 200 metres at each end, bringing it to 1,632 metres, so it could fly Bombardier CS-100 “Whisper” jets to further destinations, including Los Angeles and Vancouver.

At this point, the city and PortsToronto continue to debate a solution with an environmental assessment being the next step.

“There is a good balance now, we do not need jets on the waterfront,” Vaughan said. “What we should be doing is celebrating that Toronto has its waterfront back and don’t surrender it to one individual (Porter president Robert Deluce) and his plan to build an airport the size of Ottawa International Airport on one-seventh the size of the land.”

Other speakers at the rally included former Olympic sailor Paul Henderson and local Councillor Joe Cressy.

“Hundreds of people from across the city have come out to say, while we celebrate the waterfront, let’s not risk it all for jets and island airport expansion,” Cressy said.

PortsToronto could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Porter Airlines said the organizers of the rally are “misinformed and, in some cases, deliberately misrepresenting the issue in order to get attention.”

In a statement, Porter said the proposal to extend the runway is within the existing Marine Exclusion Zone that keeps boats and planes safe distances apart. This zone would not change in any way that materially impacts where boats travel and use of the harbour and lake would be much the same as it is today.

“The group protesting today represents a minority viewpoint,” said company spokesman Brad Cicero. “The airport has strong support across the city, including from many who live along and use the waterfront regularly.”

However, disabled kayaker Diane Kolin, 35, how lives at Bay and Harbour Sts., said she worries the expansion would bring about unwanted environmental and noise pollution.

“I’m always on the water,” she said. “It’s noisy as is with the little planes. Us rowers, the relationship with boats may disappear because the space may disappear with expansion.”

Cicero said the same people who tried to prevent Porter from starting service in 2006 are now trying to halt the expansion plan.

“They claimed that the waterfront was at risk then and they were wrong,” he said. “It is thriving with Porter and the airport as important contributors. This will continue with the introduction of new, quiet jet technology that let’s people travel between places like Vancouver, Los Angeles and Miami.

jenny.yuen@sunmedia.ca

[blues deville]

“The waterfront is one of the great recreational spaces in the city,” said Trinity-Spadina MP Adam Vaughan, who attended the protest. “If the island airport (expansion) goes ahead, there is a 20-foot wall from the airport ... You can’t put a 20-foot wall in the middle of the harbour and cut off the sunset, cut off the view of the islands, and still have the same waterfront.”

Cut off the the sunset? I rest my case......

[MD2]

Wow, another little gem from MP Adam Vaughn! Misrepresentation and spinning aside, he is essentially dictating what others should build and do in their property so that "his sunset" is not disturbed. Since he is so concerned about the rising and setting of the sun, does he complain about the condo builders that build hundreds of feet into the sky? One wonders (knows) why.

[Lakelad]

.

Bombardier Inc shares continue rout as Chinese airline picks Boeing over CSeries

Friday July 10, 2015 - Financial Post
Kristine Owram

Bombardier Inc. shares continued to fall on Friday, capping off a trying week for investors that has seen the stock lose more than 15 per cent of its value.

Shares tumbled as much as eight per cent Friday morning before rebounding, adding to a decline of 7.8 per cent on Thursday, which sent the stock to $2.01, its lowest close in more than two decades. Year-to-date, Bombardier’s shares are down more than 50 per cent.

The Montreal-based transportation company said Thursday that it is conducting a review of its Global 7000 and 8000 business-jet programs, including the schedule for bringing the ultra-long-range aircraft to market. This led to speculation that the programs are likely to be delayed from their scheduled 2016 and 2017 entry-into-service dates.

However, RBC analyst Walter Spracklin said there might be another explanation for the stock-price rout: an order by China Eastern Airlines for 50 aircraft from Boeing Co.

The order for Boeing’s 737 aircraft is worth US$4.6 billion at list prices, although airlines usually get discounts for large orders.

“We have previously highlighted China Eastern as the most likely Chinese airline to buy the CSeries based on the carrier’s current and expected fleet demands,” Spracklin wrote in a research note Friday.

“With what we see as sentiment around the Bombardier shares revolving around demand risk of the program, a potential major order loss to a Chinese carrier would be seen as a negative.”

.