Indianapolis-based Republic Airways has placed a firm order for 40 C Series airliners, Bombardier Aerospace announced today. The purchase contract, which also includes options for another 40 of the airplanes, calls for delivery of CS300s–the larger of the two-member family of 110- to 145-seat narrowbodies–starting in the second quarter of 2015. The aircraft will come configured in a single-class, 138-passenger configuration, including 25 so-called Stretch seats. The deal makes Republic the first North American airline to place a firm order for C Series airliners.

Based on the list price for the CS300, Bombardier places the value of the firm order at $3.06 billion. If Republic exercises all its options, the value could increase to $6.34 billion, according to Bombardier.

Republic has also signed an exclusive 15-year PureSolution maintenance contract with Pratt & Whitney for the support of the PW1000G turbofans slated to power the airplanes.

Since launching the CSeries family of aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2008, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 90 C Series aircraft. An order from Deutsche Lufthansa accounts for 30 CS100 aircraft and a commitment from Lease Corporation International Group accounts for 17 CS300s and three CS100s.