Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Zhejiang Loong Airlines Co., Ltd. (Loong Air) has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire 20 CS100 airliners. The operator, based in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province, China began domestic service in 2013.

Based on the list price for the CS100 aircraft, a firm order for 20 CS100 aircraft would be valued at approximately $1.28 billion US.

“The CSeries airliner is the right size aircraft to allow for profitable growth as Loong Air seeks to expand its network and provide improved connectivity and frequencies to an increasing number of domestic travelers,” said Liu Qihong, Chairman, Loong Air. “With its clean-sheet design and leading-edge technology, Bombardier’s CSeries family of airliners provides a distinct economic advantage.”

“The growing diversity of operators in both our traditional and growth markets who are centering business cases around the use of the CSeries jetliners is a testament to the aircraft’s unmatched flexibility and outstanding operational efficiencies,” said Ray Jones, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

“We are thrilled that Loong Air has selected the CS100 aircraft to execute on its expansion strategy,” added Andy Solem, Vice President, Sales, China and Asia-Pacific. “We intend to actively support Loong Air in opening new markets profitably thanks to the CSeries airliner’s low operating costs and look forward to the CSeries aircraft taking to the skies of China.”

Bombardier press release