Fresh off receiving a $1bn infusion of cash from the government of Quebec there is discussion afoot regarding the future of the CSeries jet and the company in general. Among those making noise is the (theoretical) upstart Canadian carrier ZiNG. The group believes that the CSeries is the perfect aircraft on which to base a regional/national operation from which it can seek to overtake Westjet as the number two carrier in Canada. And the concept becomes more bizarre from there.
The goal is to provide a massive network of point-to-point service between smaller airports, taking advantage of the lower operating costs the CS100 presents as well as its ability to service smaller airports. One sample route included in the proposal is between Vancouver and Moncton, New Brunswick. The Greater Moncton metro area has a population of less than 150,000 people. And, while there is certainly some tourism traffic draw in the region (I’ve visited in the past; it is lovely in the summer) it is hard to see a massive flow of people simply because more nonstop flights suddenly appear on the market.
Even better than the questionable home base and route map is the financing plan. The “airline” is looking to raise $2.5mm through an IndieGoGo campaign, hoping that 100,000 people will each contribute $25 so that it can have enough cash to build out a business plan and try to raise the real money it will take to become an airline.
By having this idea go viral, we will get the attention of politicians, potential investors and other key players necessary to make this happen.
So, no money, no aviation experience and a questionable route structure. But a least there’s a chance the planes will be cheap as Bombardier continues its struggles to sell frames.
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Good for you covering a story like this while the other Canadian blogs fumble in the dark.