Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace handed over a CSeries to European low-cost carrier Vueling during this week’s Routes Africa forum in Kampala, Uganda. The large CSeries model was presented to Ignacio Bosch Nacenta, Network Planner at the Spanish carrier on the final morning of the event following a business card draw on the manufacturer’s stand.

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 the manufacturer expects a good number of additional placements for the Q400 turboprop and more sales for the CRJNextGen family over the coming years.

“This region is poised for growth and over the next 20 years, it is predicted that Africa will be one of the leaders in annual economic growth, second only to China,” Charles Carriere, Airline Marketing Manager, Bombardier Aerospace told The HUB during this week’s Routes Africa forum in Kampala, Uganda.

“We are excited by the potential opportunities for expanding commercial aviation in Africa and our role in that development. Our market forecast for up until 2031 predicts that African airlines will take delivery of 550 aircraft in the 20- to 149-seat segment industry wide,” he added

According to the sales 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 Continent thanks to its range, runway performance and operational efficiency, particularly the CS100 which will make its maiden flight later this month.

“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 Carriere. “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."

Alongside the Bombardier Aerospace prize draw, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport also presented an Ipad mini to Kenya Airways’ Head of Network Planning and Airline Strategy, Jimmy Kibati from its own business card prize draw.