Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace sees a lot of potential for its new modern generation CSeries airliner in the Middle East and Africa, buoyed by an already strong orderbook for the type from across the regions. It currently has firm commitments for 33 aircraft from customers in the Middle East, including ten CS100s for Gulf Air, 16 CS300s for Saudi Gulf Airlines, five CS300s for Iraqi Airways and two CS300s for Falcon Aviation Services.

“This region is poised for growth and over the next 20 years, it is predicted that the Middle East and Africa will be among the leaders in annual economic growth, second only to China,” Imed Abdallah, head of airline marketing – Middle East & Africa, Bombardier Aerospace told Routesonline during this week’s inaugural Routes Middle East & Africa forum in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.

“We are excited by the potential opportunities for expanding commercial aviation in the Middle East and Africa and our role in that development. Our market forecast for up until 2031 predicts that Middle Eastern and African airlines alone will take delivery of over 1,200 aircraft in the 20- to 149-seat segment, a great opportunity for us” he added.

According to the marketing executive it is the arrival of the new CSeries that should excite the region. The new generation airliner will provide new opportunities for airlines across the regions thanks to its range, runway performance and operational efficiency, particularly the CS100 which is due to enter service in early 2016.

“The majority of the predicted demand is expected to be in the 100- to 149-seat market segment that belongs to our CSeries family of airliners, explained Abdallah. “While the CS300 will certainly suit the more mature Middle East market, we are really bullish on the CS100 in Africa. That's the aircraft that will really open up some brand new markets that were not available before."

Bombardier Aerospace has a notable presence in the African market, a region it expects to see significant growth over the coming years. There are already more than 160 Dash 8/Q-Series and CRJ aircraft in service across Africa, with, or ordered by, 40 operators and leasing companies in over 20 countries and alongside the CSeries, the manufacturer expects a good number of additional placements for the Q400 turboprop and more sales for the CRJNextGen family over the coming years.

As has become the tradition at our events, the manufacturer has a number of aircraft models to present to event delegates on the final morning of the event. Make sure you visit the Bombardier Aerospace stand and place your business card into the bowl to be in with a chance of winning a CS100, CRJ1000NextGen or Dash 8-Q400NextGen model.