Bombardier has reached a definitive agreement for sale of its Amphibious Aircraft program to British Columbia-based Viking Air Limited. ...
Bombardier has reached a definitive agreement for sale of its Amphibious Aircraft program to British Columbia-based Viking Air Limited.
The agreement covers the Type Certificates for all variants of the aircraft, the Bombardier CL-415 waterbomber and its variants, as well as the earlier CL-215 and CL-215T versions.
The Bombardier 415 is the aviation industry's benchmark amphibious aircraft and the backbone of firefighting missions around the globe.
“This transaction supports our goal of rebuilding a clear path to profitable earnings growth and cash generation,” said Alain Bellemare, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. “While the Amphibious Aircraft program is part of our long history, this divestiture positions Bombardier to better focus on our core, higher growth businesses; business jets, commercial aircraft and rail transportation.”
The completion of this transaction is subject to customary regulatory approval by Transport Canada and the Competition Bureau.
The agreement covers the Type Certificates for all variants of the aircraft, the Bombardier CL-415 waterbomber and its variants, as well as the earlier CL-215 and CL-215T versions.
The Bombardier 415 is the aviation industry's benchmark amphibious aircraft and the backbone of firefighting missions around the globe.
“This transaction supports our goal of rebuilding a clear path to profitable earnings growth and cash generation,” said Alain Bellemare, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. “While the Amphibious Aircraft program is part of our long history, this divestiture positions Bombardier to better focus on our core, higher growth businesses; business jets, commercial aircraft and rail transportation.”
The completion of this transaction is subject to customary regulatory approval by Transport Canada and the Competition Bureau.
No amphibious aircraft have been produced since December 2015 after Bombardier paused the program.
The transaction will see Viking acquire the Type Certificates (manufacturing rights) for all variants of Bombardier's amphibious aircraft, and assume responsibility for product support, parts and service for the fleet of some 170 waterbombers in service with 21 operations in 11 countries around the world.
This follows Viking's successful model of acquiring, supporting and sustaining utility aircraft programs, including manufacturing the world-renowned Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft.
Viking will support the worldwide amphibious aircraft program from a newly acquired and specially repurposed 50,000 square foot facility in Calgary. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The world-renowned Bombardier 415 waterbomber is a key part of Canada's rich aerospace heritage. The amphibious waterbomber was originally developed by Canadair in the 1960s, and has its origins in flying boats used in World War II.
The original version, the CL-215, had its maiden flight in 1967 and went into production in 1969. The aircraft was later advanced by Bombardier into the 415 which was introduced in 1994.
Recognized as the best aerial firefighting aircraft in the world, the Bombardier 415 - also known as the SuperScooper - needs only 12 seconds to scoop its 6,137-litre load while skimming at high speed over water.
The aircraft is a key strategic asset for government and community firefighting efforts in Canada and around the world. While primarily a firefighting aircraft, these have multi-mission capabilities, including for uses like maritime patrol, and search and rescue.
Viking's acquisition of the amphibious aircraft program from Bombardier builds on a long history between the two companies. Viking's collaborative relationship with Bombardier began with spare parts manufacturing for the Beaver and Otter aircraft, growing until Viking became a key supplier of structural sheet metal parts and assemblies for the Twin Otter as well.
Bombardier's Customer Service Centre for out-of-production de Havilland aircraft was transferred to Viking in 2005, allowing Viking to work directly with operators for supply of new parts and technical support, and in 2006 Viking acquired the Type Certificates (manufacturing rights) from Bombardier for the Twin Otter and all out-of-production de Havilland aircraft.
In 2007, Viking brought the Twin Otter Series 400 into production. Viking has booked sales of more than 150 new aircraft, and its 100th aircraft is scheduled for delivery in July 2016.
The transaction will see Viking acquire the Type Certificates (manufacturing rights) for all variants of Bombardier's amphibious aircraft, and assume responsibility for product support, parts and service for the fleet of some 170 waterbombers in service with 21 operations in 11 countries around the world.
This follows Viking's successful model of acquiring, supporting and sustaining utility aircraft programs, including manufacturing the world-renowned Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft.
Viking will support the worldwide amphibious aircraft program from a newly acquired and specially repurposed 50,000 square foot facility in Calgary. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The world-renowned Bombardier 415 waterbomber is a key part of Canada's rich aerospace heritage. The amphibious waterbomber was originally developed by Canadair in the 1960s, and has its origins in flying boats used in World War II.
The original version, the CL-215, had its maiden flight in 1967 and went into production in 1969. The aircraft was later advanced by Bombardier into the 415 which was introduced in 1994.
Recognized as the best aerial firefighting aircraft in the world, the Bombardier 415 - also known as the SuperScooper - needs only 12 seconds to scoop its 6,137-litre load while skimming at high speed over water.
The aircraft is a key strategic asset for government and community firefighting efforts in Canada and around the world. While primarily a firefighting aircraft, these have multi-mission capabilities, including for uses like maritime patrol, and search and rescue.
Viking's acquisition of the amphibious aircraft program from Bombardier builds on a long history between the two companies. Viking's collaborative relationship with Bombardier began with spare parts manufacturing for the Beaver and Otter aircraft, growing until Viking became a key supplier of structural sheet metal parts and assemblies for the Twin Otter as well.
Bombardier's Customer Service Centre for out-of-production de Havilland aircraft was transferred to Viking in 2005, allowing Viking to work directly with operators for supply of new parts and technical support, and in 2006 Viking acquired the Type Certificates (manufacturing rights) from Bombardier for the Twin Otter and all out-of-production de Havilland aircraft.
In 2007, Viking brought the Twin Otter Series 400 into production. Viking has booked sales of more than 150 new aircraft, and its 100th aircraft is scheduled for delivery in July 2016.
