Potential Bombardier CSeries operations from Toronto City Airport remain in limbo after Porter Airlines failed to persuade authorities to support plans to fly the 120-seat jetliner from the airport's island location in Lake Ontario. The proposal, involving an extended runway, required the Canadian Ministry of Transport, the Toronto Port Authority (recently re-styled as PortsToronto) and the City of Toronto to amend the airport operating agreement, which bans jet operations.
PortsToronto, which manages the airport, followed the new Liberal national government's confirmation of pre-election commitments not to permit jet operations there by saying Tuesday it would not proceed with “public engagement-related activities” on the matter. Rather, it will “complete technical work” and “focus on… current operations to benefit our passenger base, fulfill the airport’s potential and serve Toronto’s economic interests.”
Porter told AIN it is considering the implications of the decision. “We will continue assessing the situation and do not have any additional statement,” it said. The airline placed a conditional purchase agreement covering acquisition of 12 CS100s and options on a further 18 and operates Bombardier Q400 turboprops from Toronto City.
A Porter order always hinged on the airport receiving runway-extension approval, but the operator has not apparently discounted alternative CSeries applications completely. Canada’s Financial Post business magazine reported last month that the airline has also considered western Canada-based operations.
If confirmed, the Porter deal would boost firm CSeries orders by 5 percent, to more than 250, but if lost the pain will no doubt be felt more broadly, with 14 CSeries suppliers based in Ontario.
The possible loss of the Porter order comes as Bombardier prepares to celebrate formal airworthiness approval for the aircraft. Executives say the design remains “on track” to receive Canadian type certification by year-end.
Meanwhile, CSeries function and reliability testing will continue early next year in northern Europe. “We conducted recent customer demonstrations to much enthusiasm in Stockholm and Riga,” said Europe, Russia and CIS sales vice president Ryan DeBrusk during a company luncheon Tuesday in London. “We’re seeing a very positive impact and tone in the market as a result [of meeting promised performance commitments and] yes, we do see this translating into sales in the very near future,” accompanied by “much more news on the program side.”