Bombardier Aviation

Bombardier Aviation is a leading manufacturer of business aircraft and was historically a major producer of regional airliners. A division of the Canadian conglomerate Bombardier Inc., it operates as a key player in the global aerospace sector. The division's product line is centered on its family of high-performance business jets, which are renowned for their range, comfort, and advanced technology. Its history is marked by strategic acquisitions and product development that established its prominent market position.

History

The origins of Bombardier Aviation trace back to the 1986 acquisition of the government-owned aircraft manufacturer Canadair by Bombardier Inc.. This pivotal move marked the company's entry into the aerospace industry. A major expansion followed in 1989 with the purchase of the troubled regional aircraft division of Short Brothers, known as Shorts. The 1990 acquisition of the business jet assets from the American firm Learjet significantly bolstered its portfolio in that segment. Further consolidation occurred in 1992 with the takeover of the bankrupt de Havilland Canada from the Canadian government, creating a dominant force in regional turboprop manufacturing. The division later developed the Bombardier CRJ series and the larger Bombardier CSeries, though financial pressures led to the sale of the CSeries program to Airbus in 2018, which renamed it the Airbus A220. In 2019, the Bombardier CRJ program and related assets were sold to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Products

The division's current product lineup is exclusively focused on business jets, marketed under the Bombardier brand. Its flagship models include the large-cabin, long-range Global 7500 and Global 8000, which are among the world's most capable business aircraft. The mid-size segment features the Challenger 650 and the larger-cabin Challenger 3500. The division also produces the super mid-size Challenger 300 series. Historically, its product portfolio included the highly successful Bombardier CRJ regional jet family and the Dash 8 turboprop series, both of which were divested. The innovative Bombardier CSeries narrow-body airliner, now the Airbus A220, was also developed by the division before its sale.

Operations and facilities

Bombardier Aviation's operations are centered on major production and completion facilities across North America and Europe. Its primary manufacturing and final assembly for Global series aircraft occurs at its facility adjacent to Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario. The Challenger series is largely assembled at the company's plant in Montreal, Quebec. Interior completion, painting, and maintenance for many models are performed at the specialized completion center in Montreal-Trudeau. The division also operates a significant completion and delivery center for its large-cabin jets in Tucson, Arizona, within the United States. Key engineering and design work is conducted at its facilities in Montreal and Wichita, the latter being the historic home of Learjet.

Corporate affairs

Bombardier Aviation operates as a core division within the corporate structure of Bombardier Inc., which is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Following a major strategic restructuring, the company exited the commercial aircraft market to concentrate exclusively on business aviation. This shift involved the aforementioned sales of the Bombardier CSeries program to Airbus and the Bombardier CRJ program to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The division competes directly with other major business jet manufacturers such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Dassault Aviation, and Embraer. Its corporate headquarters are located in Montreal, sharing the city's main airport with other aerospace firms like CAE Inc. and Air Canada.

See also

* Bombardier Inc. * Business jet * Regional jet * Canadair * de Havilland Canada * Learjet

Category:Bombardier Category:Aerospace companies of Canada Category:Aircraft manufacturers of Canada Category:Companies based in Montreal Category:Business aircraft