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        Airbus, Bombardier and
        Investissement Québec agree
        closing of C Series Partnership     Any excess shortfall during such peri-  success. Airbus’ unmatched global
                                            ods will be shared proportionately  scale, strong customer relationships
          Jay Menon                         amongst CSALP’s Class A sharehold-  and operational expertise are neces-
                                            ers. Airbus will consolidate CSALP  sary ingredients for unleashing the
            aving  received  all  required
        Hregulatory  approvals,  Airbus,    effective from July 1, 2018 onwards.  full value of the aircraft. Together, we
        Bombardier  and  Investissement     Further financial information on the  will create tremendous new value and
        Québec (IQ) have agreed to close    transaction will be provided later this  opportunities for airlines, suppliers,
        the  C  Series  transaction  effective   year.                         shareholders and employees.”
        on July 1, 2018.  The transaction by   The C series program continues to   “By combining the world’s most
        which Airbus will acquire a majority   ramp up. Having delivered 17 aircraft  innovative and efficient aerospace
        stake in the C Series Aircraft Limited   in 2017, it is gearing up to double its  technology  –  designed  and  engi-
        Partnership  (CSALP)  was  initially   deliveries in 2018.             neered  in  Québec  –  with  Airbus’
        announced  in  October  2017.  The   With  the  C  Series’  demonstrated  market and expertise, we are cre-
        Mirabel-based  partnership,  which   in-service performance and the final-  ating a brand new dynamic in a
        was originally established between   ization of this partnership, the parties  promising segment,” noted Québec’s
        Bombardier and IQ, will benefit from   expect increased demand to support  Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy,
        Airbus’ global reach, scale, procure-  a second C Series Final Assembly  Science and Innovation and Minister
        ment organization and expertise in   Line in Mobile, Alabama, dedicated  responsible for the Digital Strategy
        selling,  marketing  and  producing   to supplying U.S.-based customers.  Dominique Anglade. “Above all, we
        the C Series – a state-of-the-art jet   The C Series is positioned to capture  are  ensuring  the  growth  of  the  C
        aircraft family in the 100-150 seat   a large percentage of the estimated  Series and securing the more than
        market.                             6,000 aircraft needed in this market  2,000 jobs attached to it in Mirabel. In
           Airbus will work with its partners   segment over the next 20 years.  addition to maintaining the C Series’
        Bombardier and IQ to fully unlock     Airbus  Chief  Executive  Officer  head  office,  engineering  and  R&D
        the C Series’ potential and create   Tom Enders said: “This partnership  activities  in  Québec,  this  partner-
        significant new value for customers,   extends our commitment to Québec  ship positions Montréal as Airbus’
        suppliers, employees, shareholders   and to all of Canadian aerospace,  largest research and development
        and the communities in which the    and we are very glad to welcome so  centre outside Europe, representing
        partnership operates. The partner-  many C Series teammates into the  tremendous opportunities for our
        ship’s head office, primary assembly   extended Team Airbus. The strength  entire aerospace industry.”
        line and related functions will be   of the entire Airbus organization will   “The C Series team in Québec is
        based in Mirabel, Québec.           be behind the C Series. Not only will  proud to participate in this opportunity
        As previously announced, Bombardier   that enable this outstanding aircraft  to drive the success of this amazing
        will continue with its current fund-  to fulfill its market potential, but we  aircraft,”  said  Philippe  Balducchi,
        ing plan of CSALP. Due to the early   are convinced the addition of the C  CEO  of  the  C  Series  partnership.
        closing of the partnership, the terms   Series to our overall aircraft product  “Our teams have worked tirelessly to
        of the plan has been updated and    offering brings significant value to  merge cultures and bring operations
        Bombardier will fund the cash short-  Airbus,  our  customers  and  share-  together well ahead of schedule and
        falls of CSALP, if required, during the   holders.”                    are confident in our ability to make
        second half of 2018, up to a maximum   “This marks the beginning of a very  this win-win partnership a thriving
        of US$225 million; during 2019, up to   exciting new chapter for the C Series  commercial success. The composi-
        a maximum of US$350 million; and    and the Canadian Aerospace indus-  tion of the C Series leadership team
        up to a maximum aggregate amount    try,” said Alain Bellemare, Bombardier  reflects  our  principles  of  bringing
        of US$350 million over the follow-  President and Chief Executive Officer.  together the best talent that both
        ing two years, in consideration for   “The C Series is widely recognized  sides have to offer. We are ready to
        non-voting  participating  shares  of   as the most advanced and efficient  turn outward and help our customers
        CSALP with cumulative annual divi-  aircraft in its class and this part-  get their hands on the hottest aircraft
        dends of 2%.                        nership will ensure its commercial  in its segment.”
        ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE                                                                 May/June 2018 | 39
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