Bombardier Takes Off For Airshow

There's a significant Belfast 'shop window' taking off today at the world's biggest aviation industry show.

Bombardier Aerospace returned to the Farnborough International Air show with four of its innovative and industry-leading aircraft. As the world's third largest civil aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier has today highlighted the broad spectrum of its business and commercial aircraft products, technical expertise and customer and aircraft services at this important aerospace event.

On static display for viewing is the midsize Learjet 60 XR, large cabin Challenger 605 and long-range Global 5000 business jets, as well as the Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner.

With a major base at the Shorts site in east Belfast, there is considerable local engineering interest in the event.

"The Farnborough Airshow is the year's largest gathering of aviation customers, manufacturers and suppliers.

"It literally draws customers from around the world and is an important and valuable show for us," said Guy C. Hachey, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace.

"Despite the current difficult economic conditions being experienced in Europe, the importance of this market cannot be understated.

"We are a truly global company, and with one of our aircraft taking off or landing somewhere on the planet every three seconds, we understand the importance of meeting our customer's needs wherever they may be," he said.

During the airshow, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft is highlighting the operating and maintenance economics, performance, passenger comfort, environmental features and customer support network of its CRJ NextGen and Q400 NextGen regional aircraft, as well as its all-new CSeries single-aisle, mainline aircraft which has major parts manufactured in Belfast.

The Belfast operation is responsible for the design, manufacture and integration of the complete wing for the CSeries aircraft, (pictured) including all flight control surfaces and high lift systems, which has just successfully undergone the ultimate load test – representing 150% of the most severe forces the wing is ever likely to experience in service.

The Farnborough International Airshow runs from Monday, July 19 to Friday, July 23 for trade visitors, and Saturday, July 24 to Sunday, July 25 for public visitors.

(BMcC/GK)