Bombardier opens innovation centre in Montreal

Bombardier has inaugurated its new Innovation and Design Centre located at the manufacturer’s facilities in greater Montreal, Canada.

According to Bombardier, the centre will provide the space and means to drive customer-centric design and innovation projects independently of aircraft development programmes. 

“In the business aviation sector, innovating is a question of competitiveness and has a tremendous impact on our overall performance in the market. Our customers expect the very best and we have maintained, throughout the years, a steadfast commitment on delivering nothing short of that,” said Éric Martel, president and CEO at Bombardier. 

The centre features tools such as full-scale mockups and prototypes, allowing teams to create proofs of concept and rapidly iterate.

Sean Johnson, vice president, Aircraft Innovation at Bombardier, added: “Stimulated by the combination of their expertise, our diverse teams — from industrial designers, engineers, craftsmen, upholsterers to prototypists — now have the means they need to turn their ideas into reality. In the greatest of secrecy and off-critical path, our teams will focus entirely on new product design and innovation. This purpose-built centre will foster the environment required to channel their talents more effectively, enabling Bombardier to set a new industry standard.”

Last week, Bombardier revealed a firm order for a mix of 50 Challenger and Global aircraft, combined with a “first-of-a-kind” service agreement. 

Together, the aircraft and service agreements are valued at $1.7bn with deliveries set to begin in 2027.

The first-time customer will also hold purchase options for 70 additional aircraft. If all options are exercised, the deal value would reach more than $4bn, according to Bombardier. 

The customer is remaining anonymous prior to market entry, it added in a statement.