Larger of Bombardier’s new planes takes to the air in test flight

MONTREAL – Canada’s newest airplane made a five-hour test flight Friday, carrying Bombardier’s hopes for recovering confidence in the company following repeated delays and mounting costs for its new line of passenger jets.

The Bombardier CS300 quietly lifted off under -21C temperatures for its first test flight from the same Montreal-area airport where the smaller CS100 had its first flight in September 2013.

By the company’s count, more than 2,000 employees, suppliers and customers were on hand to witness the event.