Airbus is to transfer A220 work package production currently conducted at Bombardier’s Saint-Laurent facility to the Mirabel site where the aircraft’s final assembly line is located.
The airframer’s Stelia Aerospace division is setting up a local subsidiary to take over the work packages, which include cockpit and aft fuselage production, as part of a new ownership agreement for the twinjet programme.
Airbus says the work packages will continue to be undertaken at the Saint-Laurent facility for about three years.
But it will then “optimise the logistical flow” of the production by transferring the work to the Stelia Aerospace site in Mirabel.
Airbus says it intends to offer all current Bombardier employees working on the packages at Saint-Laurent “opportunities” on the A220 ramp-up, to ensure “know-how retention” as well as business continuity in Quebec.
Saint-Laurent work packages relating to the Airbus A330 are also included in the plans.
Airbus has disclosed the arrangement as part of its acquisition of a 75% share in the A220 programme through the Airbus Canada Limited Partnership.
Quebec’s government will hold an increased share of 25%.
“We have succeeded in protecting paying jobs and the exceptional expertise developed in Quebec, despite the major challenges we faced in this regard when we took office,” says Quebec premier Francois Legault.
Airbus says the A220 ownership revision “demonstrates our support and commitment” to the twinjet and to the company’s presence in Canada.
