The multinational Airbus, which continues to build on the remains of Bombardier Aerospace in Mirabel, reiterates that it wants to continue its growth in the country, in particular by opening a new flight test center for A220 aircraft.
During a dinner at the Montreal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Airbus Canada CEO Benoît Schultz noted that the decision was further evidence of the Toulouse-based aircraft maker’s commitment to the Quebec location.
However, it is impossible to know the importance of the planned investments, the area of the building that will house this center, nor to have the slightest indication of the number of new jobs that this could create in Mirabel.
Benoît Schultz, CEO of Airbus Canada, at the Montreal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (CCMM) platform, Thursday. Courtesy of Airbus Canada
All of these questions from the Journal were met with a clear rejection from CEO Schultz, who has now been in office for two years. At most, Airbus was content to say that “test aircraft and test rigs will be operated” and that “highly qualified” employees will be required to support improvements to the aircraft.
More than 60 deliveries in 2023
“Whether we’re talking about pilots, flight engineers or ground engineers processing data – those are really strong skills. I think that says something about Mirabel’s strengthening of competencies for the A220,” the French CEO added.
Earlier this year, Airbus also announced it was setting up a new delivery center for airline customers. The opening is planned for this year, but the company is once again keeping quiet about the extent of the planned investments.
What the future new Airbus delivery center in Mirabel should look like. Photo credit: Airbus
In the first ten months of the year, Airbus has already delivered 51 single-aisle aircraft from its A220 series, which are manufactured in Mirabel. It expects to be able to deliver more than 60 by the end of the year, which would already be an increase compared to the 53 in 2022.
By 2026, Airbus plans to increase its A220 assembly rate to 14 per month, including four at its factory in Mobile, Alabama. We would then be talking about 168 deliveries per year, almost tripling the current level. So far, 523 orders are waiting for delivery.