[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Moscow-based, national leasing company, Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC), has signed a purchase agreement to acquire 32 CS300 aircraft and options for an additional 10 CS300 aircraft. The transaction, which follows a letter of intent signed by IFC in 2011, is subject to approval by the company‘’s shareholders. A signing ceremony to commemorate the agreement was held today during a visit by IFC and Russian dignitaries to Bombardier‘’s final assembly facility for the CSeries aircraft in Mirabel, Québec.

Based on the list price for the CS300 aircraft, a firm order from IFC for 32 aircraft would be valued at approximately $2.56 billion US. Should IFC also exercise its 10 options, the contract would have a total value of approximately $3.42 billion US.

“The aircraft leasing world is changing rapidly,” said Alexander Rubtsov, Director General, IFC. “As older, less efficient designs present ongoing challenges to airlines - given high fuel costs and heightened environmental concerns - the CSeries aircraft offers transcontinental range, superior field and runway performance, and a superb cabin that will bring air transport into the 21st century.”

Mr. Rubtsov also noted that the order for the game-changing, technologically advanced CSeries jetliners is its first large, non-Russian aircraft order, adding that the CSeries aircraft, with its capacity and performance, is ideally placed between the Russian Superjet and the MC-21 aircraft, which IFC has committed to purchase.

“This is a landmark opportunity for Bombardier Aerospace and its CSeries aircraft,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The CSeries aircraft was tailor-made for operation in this vast region and has the potential to offer a step-change in air travel in Russia and throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States.”