Bombardier begins work on new Miami Opa Locka maintenance facility

Bombardier is expanding its business aviation maintenance capabilities in Florida, with the addition of a new build facility at Miami’s Opa Locka Airport.

A ground-breaking ceremony took place today, with work on the $100 million new facility scheduled to be completed by 2020. Once complete, Bombardier will have doubled its maintenance capabilities in Florida.

Currently, the manufacturer operates a smaller facility at Ft Lauderdale International Airport. Once operational, Ft Lauderdale will become a line maintenance station, with all aircraft modifications, avionics upgrades and scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance being undertaken at the new facility.

“By doubling our capacity to support more aircraft, and adding new capabilities, our customers will benefit from the peace of mind that comes from our OEM expertise and from reduced aircraft downtime,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, vice president and general manager, customer experience. “Thanks to our long-term relationship with the state of Florida, we are thrilled to open our new facility at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF), where many of our operators are already based.”

As well as doubling the maintenance capacity, Bombardier will double its Florida workforce, taking the total number of employees in the region to 300.

“Miami-Dade County is proud to be a key player in Bombardier’s grassroots development of the aerospace industry in our region,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. “This new facility will employ nearly 300 of our residents in high-paying jobs averaging $70,000 annually, while also forging workplace partnerships with our local schools for continuing career opportunities,” Mayor of Miami-Dade County Carlos A. Giménez.”