Page 18 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2018 Online Magazine

The quality of the C Series jets and the United Kingdom. Jobs in both countries – 4,000 of them in
– the airplanes are more tech- Northern Ireland itself - were in danger. Not anymore. The ruling could
nologically advanced and fuel end up benefiting the U.S. as well. When plans for a new assembly line
efficient that its competitors - in Alabama for the C Series jet were made public when the Airbus-
has never been in question; what Bombardier tie-up was announced, many industry watchers had said
was debatable was whether that it was just a ploy to avoid the heavy tariff that that Bombardier
Bombardier had the financial and had been threatened with. Soon after the ruling, Ender considers the
marketing muscle to sell enough U.S. as the single largest market for the C Series, made it clear that
of them. Under the agreement with the company would “go ahead full throttle” with the plan. That, in the
Airbus, the European company will not too distant future, will translate into new jobs, with Bombardier
provide procurement, sales and planning to assemble C Series jets in Alabama to be sold to U.S. car-
marketing, and customer support riers, from 2019.
expertise to the C Series Aircraft
Limited Partnership (CSALP), The Silver Lining
which manufactures and sells There is no hiding the fact that the ruling is a setback for Boeing, but
the C Series. With the single aisle it could well prove to be a blessing in disguise and help it salvage
market forecast to represent 70 defence deals that are in the pipeline. The dispute had resulted in
percent of the expected global the souring of relations that the U.S. had with Canada and the United
future demand for aircraft, the Kingdom. While the UK government warned Boeing that it could lose
deal gives the two partners a real UK defence contracts because of the dispute, Canada has announced
chance of grabbing control of the that it has shelved plans to buy 18 new F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter
market. Airbus Chief Executive jets, at the cost of U$5.23 billion, from Boeing and will instead buy
Tom Enders did not bother to used, older model F/A-18s from Australia.
hide his delight at the ATC ruling.
“Nothing is sweeter than a sur- With the dispute settled, at least for now, Boeing would likely be able
prise, a surprise victory,” he said. to compete on equal terms with other companies when it comes to
securing deals in Canada and the United Kingdom. Canada intends to
The Way Forward buy 88 new fighter jets and is seeking bids from companies worldwide.
he firming up of the C Boeing, which has an existing relationship with the Royal Canadian
Series programme and is Air Force, would, under normal circumstances, have a good chance of
future is good news not securing the contract. However, for that to happen, the company would
Tjust for Bombardier and have to decide against pursuing its complaint any further against the
its new ally but also for Canada Canadian plane maker.

18 | March/April 2018 www.GBP.com.sg/AAA