Bombardier’s CSeries commercial aircraft took off to cheers on its maiden flight this morning, shortly before 10 a.m. Eastern Time

The gleaming white CS100 plane lifted off the runway at Mirabel airport north of Montreal in sunny skies after early morning rain ended and heavy clouds dissipated

Hundreds of employees, suppliers and invited guests cheered as the plane left the ground for the first time

Ahead of the launch, Bombardier officials and customers enthused about the potential for the long-awaiting plane, which marks a new generation of aviation technology for the company

“It’s very important for us and the aerospace industry,” Bombardier chairman Laurent Beaudoin said

His son Pierre Beaudoin, who is president and chief executive of Bombardier, said he was confident because the CSeries team has done its homework

“I think every step that we accomplish is a further confirmation that this is going to be an exceptional product,” Pierre Beaudoin said

The first 110- to 125-seat CS100 is slated to enter into service in about a year, barring delays