MONTREAL - Bombardier says it has received Transport Canada certification for the larger model of its CSeries passenger jet and the first CS300 will be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year.

The announcement is the latest sign of momentum for the CSeries program and it comes as the Montreal-based company joins other industry heavyweights at a major international air show in Farnborough, England, southwest of London.

The smaller CS100 model has previously been certified by Canadian and other aviation authorities and goes into service with Swiss International Air Lines on Friday.

The first CS300 plane, which can carry more passengers than the CS100, will be delivered to airBaltic of Latvia.

The CSeries program is 2 1/2 years behind schedule and at least $2 billion above cost estimates but Bombardier says its size and fuel efficiency will enable it to operate on routes that were previously not profitable for airlines.

Bombardier recently secured the first of two US$500 million payments from the Quebec government under an agreement that would see the province get a 49.5 per cent stake in the CSeries.

The company is still in negotiations with the federal government over federal aid.