IAG Would Consider Buying CSeries

IAG would consider adding Bombardier's CSeries to its fleet, CEO Willie Walsh said, adding that confidence in the aircraft was boosted by a recent order.

Bombardier secured a major order for the CSeries on Thursday when Delta ordered 75 aircraft, a deal which the manufacturer hopes is a turning point in its attempt to break into the fleets of major airlines.

Walsh said that, while the CSeries was not currently on his shopping list, he would continue to look at it as an option.

"It's not part of our plans at this stage but having said that there's plenty of scope in our future plans to look at the CSeries as a potential aircraft within the IAG fleet," he told reporters.

The CSeries serves the niche market for 100-seat aircraft largely ignored by Boeing and Airbus.

The Delta order would make a difference to the jet's popularity, Walsh said.

"It will give confidence to others to look at the aircraft… people wanted to see some significant hard orders before they wanted to commit to it," he said.

One of IAG's airlines, Vueling, had in the past carried out a detailed evaluation of the CSeries but decided against it, Walsh said.