Bombardier Commercial Aircraft celebrated another important milestone for the C Series aircraft program with the first revenue flight into London City Airport, a Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) CS100 jetliner from Zurich.
“We are proud to see the C Series aircraft in SWISS livery landing at London City Airport for the first time. This new milestone continues the momentum propelling the C Series aircraft program,” said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The CS100 aircraft has the perfect combination of steep approach and short field capability as well as longer range. These attributes provide airlines with the opportunity to reach new markets from London City Airport and other challenging airports around the globe, generating an increased level of interest in the C Series program.”
“One of the key aspects of the C Series aircraft, is the fact that it is designed for operations at challenging city-centre airports. Thanks to leading-edge innovation, the C Series is by far the most community and environmentally-friendly aircraft with a very low-noise and low-emission footprint. It also happens to be a more economical and passenger-friendly option than other aircraft in its class,” said Rob Dewar, Vice President, C Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
“As part of our fleet modernization plan, we are gradually replacing the Avro aircraft with the C Series and today, we start with our CS100 flight operations from Zurich to London City as the world’s first airline. We are excited to offer our guests the benefits of the C Series such as more comfort on this important route,” said Peter Koch, C Series Fleet Chief, SWISS.
As of now, SWISS will operate regularly to London City Airport from its main hub in Zurich with a CS100 and from Geneva as of summer 2018.
“The inaugural commercial flight of the Bombardier C Series by SWISS is a landmark moment for London City Airport, and the culmination of five years preparation to bring this next generation aircraft into operation,” said Richard Hill, Chief Commercial Officer at London City Airport. “The introduction of the C Series is an important part of London City’s growth plans and a boon for the UK aviation industry, with its wings manufactured at Bombardier’s Belfast factory. As one of the quietest and most fuel efficient commercial jets in its class, and thanks to its longer range, we can also unlock opportunities for new routes, including the possibility of non-stop services to the east coast of USA, Russia, the Gulf and Middle East.”
The C Series is now the largest passenger aircraft certified to operate from the London City Airport with the longest range. A single-class CS100 aircraft can also fly 2,200 nm (4,074 km) from London City. The CS100 jetliner is the only commercial aircraft that can fly London City-New York non-stop, in an all-business class configuration.
The C Series aircraft is manufactured by the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership, an affiliate of the Bombardier Commercial Aircraft segment of Bombardier Inc.
August 8, 2017 Montréal Commercial Aircraft, Press Release
We’re delighted to welcome the @FlySWISS #CSeries with a special water cannon salute! pic.twitter.com/ELu719EZg8
— London City Airport (@LondonCityAir) August 8, 2017
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SWISS becomes world’s first airline to serve London City with the Bombardier C Series
SWISS today became the first airline in the world to offer commercial flights with the Bombardier C Series aircraft to and from London City Airport. The advanced and innovative short- and medium-haul Bombardier CS100 will henceforth also operate SWISS’s scheduled services to and from London City.
The first commercial Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) Bombardier CS100 flight to London City Airport arrived from Zurich at 17:47 (local time London) today. The advanced and innovative CS100 will henceforth also operate of SWISS’s scheduled services between Zurich and London City. SWISS will also be deploying its Bombardier C Series aircraft on its Geneva-London City route from next summer onwards.
Additional pilot training for demanding approach
With its short runway and its steep landing approach, London City Airport makes particular demands on pilots, who are required to undergo additional training for such operations. “We have prepared our pilots down to the finest detail to perform our new scheduled Bombardier C Series flights to London City,” says Peter Koch, SWISS’s C Series Fleet Chief. “And we’re delighted that we can now offer all the many attractions of the C Series, in in-flight comfort and more, on this important route.”
As well as the additional pilot training, the aircraft itself has had to be certificated to perform the steep landing approach that service to London City requires. The aircraft’s manufacturer, Bombardier of Montreal, Canada, obtained this in April of this year. “The C Series is the only commercial aircraft specifically designed for operations at challenging airports,” says Rob Dewar, Vice President, C Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We are very proud of its performance, and we congratulate SWISS on this first CS100 commercial flight to London City.”
London City Airport operator is also pleased with the aircraft’s arrival. “The inaugural commercial flight of the Bombardier C Series by Swiss International Air Lines is a landmark moment for London City Airport, and it is a pleasure to welcome the first passengers and crew from Zurich, following five years of preparation,” says Richard Hill, Chief Commercial Officer, London City Airport. “This next-generation aircraft is one of the quietest in operation, with greater fuel efficiency and longer range, setting a new standard for SWISS operations and London City.”
New comfort, operating economics and environmental benchmarks
The Bombardier C Series aircraft set new benchmarks in comfort, operating economics and environmental terms. With its low-noise-emission credentials, the C Series is also known as the “Whisperjet”. SWISS is acquiring its C Series aircraft primarily to replace its Avro RJs, which were used to commence its scheduled services to and from London City precisely 25 years ago. The last commercial SWISS Avro RJ100 flight will be from Zurich to London City and back on Monday 14 August.
Zurich Airport, 8 August 201
