Dubai Air Show 2011: Turkey’s Atlasjet Signs for up to 15 Bombardier CS300 Airliners

Bombardier Aerospace announced today
that Atlasjet Havacilik A.S. of Istanbul, Turkey has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire
10 CS300 jetliners and take options on a further five CS300 aircraft.
Based on the list price of the CS300 airliner, a firm-order contract would be valued at
$776 million US, and could increase to $1.18 billion US if the five options were converted to firm
orders.

“There are several reasons why we selected Bombardier’s all-new CS300 aircraft,” said
Murat Ersoy, Chairman, Atlasjet. “The CS300 aircraft has the best economics in its class; it is
well suited for our unique operations in hot temperature environments; and, based on its
performance and economics, it will return the highest profitability in strategic markets. With its
offering of widebody comfort in a single-aisle aircraft, it is the right-sized platform for us.”
“We consider airlines operating in Turkey and the Middle East to be prime candidates for
CSeries aircraft,” said Guy C. Hachey, President and Chief Operating Officer,
Bombardier Aerospace. “Airlines in the region face revenue and performance challenges as
their current fleets are composed mainly of jet aircraft larger than the CSeries aircraft. The
CSeries aircraft gives airlines a right-sized solution optimized for their environment and
operation.”
Founded in 2001, Atlasjet operates 17 aircraft on domestic and international routes with
scheduled and charter services. Atlasjet is operated and managed by Ersoy Turistik Servisleri
(ETS), a conglomerate of travel companies with tourism offices across Turkey. Atlasjet operates
domestic scheduled passenger services and regular charter flights to cities across Europe,
Kazakhstan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Operating from its main base at Atatürk International
Airport, Istanbul, the airline also has hubs at Adnan Menderes Airport, Izmir and Antalya Airport.
“The CSeries aircraft has the range and payload capability that meet our mission requirement,”
said Orhan Coskun, Chief Executive Officer, Atlasjet. “The CSeries aircraft has excellent
operational flexibility and that’s what we need.”
Bombardier forecasts that Turkey will play a key role in the transformation of the aviation
industry in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Carriers in the region, especially in Turkey and
the Middle East, have consistently reported increased annual revenues and capacity growth.
Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the 100 per cent new CSeries family of
aircraft combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet
commercial airline requirements in 2013 and beyond. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower
PW1500G engines, the CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15* per cent cash operating cost
advantage and a 20* per cent fuel burn advantage. The CSeries family of aircraft’s clean-sheet
design is ensuring that it will achieve greatly reduced noise and emissions, as well as superior
operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km)*.
The CSeries aircraft will be up to 12,000 lbs (5,443 kg) lighter than other aircraft in the same
seat category and will provide passengers with a best-in-class, widebody cabin environment in a
single-aisle aircraft.