Bombardier Aerospace presented further evidence of its growing relationship with Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with the announcement of its intention to enter into exploratory discussions with leading Russian aircraft manufacturer IRKUT Corporation on potential strategies and collaboration for the provision of customer support.

Exploratory discussions would focus on the development of IRKUT’s customer support infrastructure within Russia based on Bombardier’s widely respected customer support model and also explore areas of knowledge sharing and potential future areas of collaboration.

“Russia continues to be a key area of focus for Bombardier and, in the spirit of partnership, we are pleased to explore areas of potential common interest with a view to building stronger relationships with our Russian counterparts,” said Éric Martel, President, Customer Services & Specialized and Amphibious Aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace.

“It is our hope that these preliminary discussions will lead to several areas of cooperation that will support successful entries into service of the MS-21 and CSeries aircraft in Russia, and around the world,” he added.
IRKUT’s 150- to 212-seat MS-21 commercial airliner is currently in development and is scheduled to enter into service in 2017.

Bombardier has maintained an accelerated pace in expanding its customer support network in the region as well. The company maintains a full-service regional support office in Moscow, which opened in September 2012, operated by Bombardier Aerospace Services Russia LLC (BASR). In August 2012, Tulpar Technic of Kazan, Russia was appointed as a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility for CRJ100 and CRJ200 regional jets. Bombardier will also host a regional review for CRJ Series operators in Moscow in September.

Meanwhile, Bombardier and Rostekhnologii (“Rostec”), a state corporation controlled by the Russian Federation, announced that they signed a series of preliminary agreements that include a letter of intent (LOI) for the sale of 50 Q400 NextGen aircraft; and a Market Development Agreement reached with Rostec and its aircraft leasing subsidiary, Avia Capital Services, that will provide an opportunity to place at least 50 additional Q400 NextGen aircraft in the region. The parties also concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to validate the opportunity to set up a Q400 NextGen final assembly line in Russia.