Latest Aircraft Sales Cleared For Take-Off

Existing engineering jobs have been further secured today with news that Bombardier Aerospace has signed-up further orders for its CSeries aircraft.

The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed today’s announcement, and said: "Bombardier is a major employer in Northern Ireland and almost 400 of its workforce are already dedicated to CSeries activity at the company's new wing factory in Belfast.

"Today's announcement that Bombardier Aerospace has secured 10 orders and a further six potential orders for its CSeries aircraft is extremely positive and welcome news for Northern Ireland, especially coming on the back of the recent CSeries orders announced by the company.

"The aerospace industry is one of our most successful and technologically advanced sectors. Invest Northern Ireland has been working closely with Bombardier and other aerospace companies to support growth and ensure that the sector remains internationally competitive," she said.

"These new contracts signal continuing success for the CSeries programme, and will deliver future economic benefits as firms access the valuable supply chain business associated with the CSeries wing project, which involves investment of £520m in Northern Ireland."

A statement from the east Belfast company, which is currently exhibiting at the prestigious Paris Air Show said: "We are delighted that another airline has placed an order for the new CSeries aircraft. It's a further endorsement of the aircraft's credentials, and an important contribution to building the order book.

"We in Belfast are contributing to its game-changing credentials through the development and manufacture of the advanced composite wings, which will be produced using a patented composite process developed by our Belfast engineers.

"This is a unique process and represents a step change in composite technology in our industry. It is helping to take our experience and capabilities in advanced composites to a new level."

The statement, issued in Paris continued: "We are in the late stages of development of the wings for the CSeries aircraft. Production of the first wing components in Belfast will begin later this year. The second phase of our new wing manufacturing and assembly facility is well under way.

"The CSeries aircraft wing programme will employ over 800 employees when we are at full production in a few years’ time, and is further benefiting the local economy through the strong involvement of our local companies.

"The complete aircraft will go through a test and certification programme before it is due to enter service with airlines in 2013."

Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed the contract: "This is magnificent news for one of the most renowned companies in east Belfast. It will be a major boost to the Northern Ireland economy.

"It is a massive vote of confidence in the Belfast operation by Bombardier and shows that we still have a manufacturing sector that can attract global investment."

(BMcC)