[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Further to the framework agreement signed on March 24, 2011, Jin Zhuanglong, Chairman, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd (COMAC) and Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. signed today a definitive agreement covering program commonalities between the C919 and CSeries aircraft. More specifically, the two leading aircraft manufacturers have agreed to cooperate on four distinctive projects to be executed as part of the first phase of COMAC and Bombardier's long-term collaboration on the C919 aircraft and the CSeries families of commercial airliners.

The four initiatives on which COMAC and Bombardier will be collaborating as part of this initial phase are commonality on: 1) the cockpit human-machine (crew) interfaces, 2) the electrical system, 3) the development of aluminum-lithium standards and specifications, and 4) areas of customer services in terms of technical publications and co-location of teams. All four projects are expected to be completed over the next 12 months and in conjunction with the C919 aircraft development schedule.

This first collaborative phase further reinforces the strategic long-term relationship between COMAC and Bombardier and demonstrates the complementary nature of the C919 and CSeries aircraft programs. Both parties will continue exploring other possibilities for cooperation with regards to aircraft program commonalities, joint procurement, synergies in development and customer services, as well as collaboration on Bombardier and COMAC programs.

“I am delighted that, leveraging on our corporations‘ mutual strengths, synergies are being developed into mutually beneficial, tangible initiatives. This will certainly contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of not only the C919 and CSeries aircraft programs, but also of COMAC and Bombardier’s overall businesses,” said Mr. Jin, Chairman, COMAC.

“I am pleased to see the framework agreement signed in March last year reaching this important milestone,” said Mr. Beaudoin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. “We are confident these four initial projects will build on the complementary nature of our respective products and expertise while helping to maximize both parties' cost savings and market shares.”

By signing this definitive agreement, Bombardier and COMAC are embarking on a first step to create opportunities for customers of the CSeries and C919 aircraft to realize cost benefits from the operation of both aircraft families.