TOULOUSE, France, March 6 (Reuters) - Airbus AIR.PA will need to increase sales of Bombardier's BBDb.TO CSeries jets to cut production costs, the European plane-maker's procurement chief said on Tuesday.
Last year, Airbus agreed to take a majority stake in Bombardier's CSeries jetliner program, which had not secured anew order for the 110-130 seat plane in the 18 months before the deal. The partnership is awaiting regulatory approval and both Bombardier and Airbus have expressed optimism over the CSeries' long-term sales prospects.
"First we're going to have to sell the aircraft, in order tothen work with suppliers on costs of the programme, because atthe moment there is a gap," Klauss Richter told reporters atAirbus' Toulouse headquarters.
"An increase in productivity rate will help," he said.
In November, EgyptAir signed an initial order for 12 CSeriesjets and Bombardier also received an order for 31 planes from anundisclosed European buyer, marking an end to its sales drought. Prime Minister Philippe Couillard, also speaking toreporters at Airbus's Toulouse headquarters, said approval fromthe regulators was the final hurdle standing in the way of aviable future for the CSeries.
The deal gives the CSeries improved economies of scale and abetter sales network.
Bombardier said in February that there had been a "bit of apause" in orders for its 110-130 seat jets as airlines wait forit to complete the Airbus partnership deal.