Bombardier to benefit from Spanish order

Belfast's Bombardier factory is set to benefit from an aircraft order by Air Nostrum of Valencia.

The order, which is valued at an estimated $512.6 million, will see 20 additional Bombardier CRJ200 50-seat regional jet aircraft manufactured for the Spanish company.

Bombardier in Northern Ireland manufactures the fuselages, engine nacelles and some wing control surfaces for these aircraft.

Commenting on the news, Enterprise Minister, Barry Gardiner said: "The major new contract from Spain for twenty additional aircraft is good news for Bombardier’s workforce. But their announcement to study the feasibility of a new 110 seat to 135 seat jet plane, could lead to significant benefits for the company’s Belfast base and the wider Northern Ireland economy, long into the future.

"It is very welcome news that Bombardier Aerospace Belfast has been selected to take an active role in a prestigious national steering group on composite technology. Composite technologies are vital to aerospace industries as they lead to lighter planes, using less fuel and carrying heavier loads. This is the sort of innovation we need to help the economy prosper."

The Minister also welcomed the decision by Bombardier to undertake a feasibility study into the development of a new 110 to 135-seat regional jet plane to be known as the CSeries. The CSeries is an all-new, 110 to 135-seat, 1,800 to 3,200 mile range regional jet.

Bombardier's Belfast base has also been selected to take part in a steering group within the National Composites Network. This has been set up by the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team (AeIGT), with assistance from DTI and regional development agencies, to help the UK reap benefits from global growth of composite R&D within the aerospace sector.

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