26/06/2019

Bombardier Offloads Jet Programme To Mitsubishi

Aerospace company Bombardier has announced plans to sell its regional jet programme to Mitsubishi, prompting calls for clarity over the future of local jobs in the industry.

The $550 million transaction is expected to close during the first half of 2020.

The Canadian firm said it is reviewing the impact on production sites in Northern Ireland in order to mitigate any potential workforce impact.

An Ulster Unionist MLA has hit out at the "total absence of any real information" from Bombardier and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

"We simply do not know whether this purchase is a good thing or a disaster for local jobs and the Northern Ireland economy," Steve Aiken commented.

"Bombardier is one of Northern Ireland's largest and most important employers. When it was announced earlier this year that the company had put its entire Northern Ireland operation up for sale it understandably caused serious concerns – not only for its direct workforce but also for the many thousands of other jobs that rely on it."

The party has requested a meeting with Mitsubishi to establish the future long-term plan for staff at the Queens Island site in Belfast.  



(JG/CM)

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