From correspondents in Ontario, Canada, 11:30 AM IST

With soaring fuel costs hitting airlines worldwide, Canada's Bombardier is expected to announce the launch of its fuel-efficient C-Series jets.

With the launch of the new series, the Montreal-based company will lock horns with industry giants Boeing and Airbus for the small jet market.

Its fuel-efficient 110-130-seat jets will compete with Boeings 737-600, 737-700, Airbus 318 and 319 and Embraer from Brazil.

The Canadian manufacturer of commercial airplanes, business jets and trains is likely to unveil the $3-billion project at the Farnborough International Airshow near London Sunday.

The Montreal-based company is showcasing four of its innovative business aircraft as well as 'a mock-up of the game changing C-Series commercial airliner' at its pavilion at the air show.

In the works for four years, the C-Series project was recently described at an advanced stage by Bombardier CEO Pierre Beaudoin.

If the new project is unveiled at the British airshow, the first of the C-Series planes will roll out in five years.

Bombardier said: 'This game-changing aircraft will be built with unmatched operating economics that will emit up to 20 percent less carbon dioxide, up to 50 percent less Nox, will be four times quieter for the airport community and will deliver up to 20 percent fuel burn advantage compared to similar in service aircraft.'

Aviation experts say the fuel-efficient C-Series airliner could prove to be a boon for the aviation industry as skyrocketing fuel prices force many airlines to get rid of gas guzzling planes and look for alternatives.

Since industry giants Boeing and Airbus have no fuel-efficient smaller models in the pipeline yet, Bombardier could get a ready-made market for the C-Series planes.

Considering the glooming fuel scenario, the experts say the Canadian firm could sell at least 3,000 such planes in the next 20 years.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)