[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the Letter of Intent (LOI) from Korean Air signed on June 21 at the 2011 Paris Air Show to acquire 10 CS300 airliners has now been converted into a firm order. The transaction also includes options on 10 CS300 aircraft and purchase rights for an additional 10 CS300 aircraft.

The firm order makes Korean Air, South Korea's flagship airline, the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft in Asia. The airline currently operates a fleet of 137 passenger and cargo jet aircraft to 115 cities in 39 countries.

“Korean Air's selection of the CSeries aircraft to meet its route expansion requirements in the Asia-Pacific market, and our growing list of customers in the European and North American markets are testaments to the high value and operational flexibility of the CSeries aircraft program,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

Korean Air's CS300 aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan PW1521G engines. Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the CSeries family of aircraft combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements in 2013 and beyond.

The CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15(i) per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20(i) per cent fuel burn advantage, greatly reduced noise and emissions as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km). It will also provide passengers with widebody-style seating in a single-aisle aircraft.

The Korean Air transaction increases firm orders for the CSeries family of airliners to 133 aircraft. Other customers that have firm orders for CSeries aircraft include Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (30 CS100 aircraft), Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and three CS100 aircraft), Braathens Aviation (five CS100 and five CS300 aircraft), a well-established, unidentified airline (three CS100 aircraft), an unidentified major network carrier (10 CS100 aircraft) and an unidentified European customer (10 CS100 aircraft). These customers have also taken 119 options and 10 purchase rights on CSeries jetliners.