Republic Airways Holdings has announced the signing of a purchase agreement with Bombardier for 40 CS300 jets, part of the manufacturer’s new CSeries currently under development. The deal also includes options for up to 40 additional aircraft.
The new jets will carry 138 passengers seated two-by-three in a single class cabin, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2015. The aircraft will be powered by Pratt and Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan engines. Republic has also signed an exclusive 15-year maintenance contract with Pratt & Whitney for support of the power plants.
The order makes Republic the North American launch customer for the CSeries aircraft, and the third customer overall. Lufthansa signed on to buy 30 CS100 jets in March of 2009, and Lease Corporation International bought three CS100s and 17 CS300s later that month.