Bombardier is to acquire the business-aircraft completion division of Innotech Aviation. The Canadian manufacturer plans to outfit its Global Express long-range business jet at Innotech, based at Montreal's Dorval airport.
The deal to acquire Innotech from Halifax-based IMP International is expected to be completed at the end of this month. The firm will report to the Bombardier Business Aircraft division, which markets the Challenge and Global Express and the Learjet family.
"This acquisition enables us to meet more effectively the market demand for the Bombardier Global Express business aircraft," says division president Michael Graff. Challenger operators "-have indicated a high level of satisfaction" with Innotech, he says.
Innotech completes 12-14 Challengers a year, but will switch to the Global Express in 1997. Bombardier plans to equip up to 24 aircraft a year, and will also continue Challenger 604 interior installations at its Tucson, Arizona, completion centre, which will focus on Learjet business jets.
Bombardier expects to expand the Innotech workforce, now 270, by 300 over the next three years, and to add hangar space. The first Global Express will arrive for completion in late 1997, with first customer deliveries scheduled for the first half of 1998.
Source: Flight International
