Canadian executive jet manufacturer Bombardier yesterday opened a new service centre at Essendon Airport as part of a world-wide aftermarket expansion.
Bombardier manufactures the Global and Challenger range of corporate jets and has more than 80 aircraft based in Australia, which it estimates is 47% of the medium and large jet market.
“The addition of the Melbourne Service Centre is the latest in a series of worldwide infrastructure investments aimed at enhancing Bombardier’s customer service capacity in line with our 2025 plan,” said Éric Martel, Bombardier President and CEO.
“In the past year, we have added close to one million square feet of service capacity in several key locations, solidifying our plan to bring more Bombardier jets home no matter where they operate.”
The Essendon base will create 65 new jobs, 47 of which are for highly-skilled technicians. The service centre will be able to carry out scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, modifications, avionics installations and aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support for Bombardier’s fleet including the newly introduced Global 8000 flagship.
The centre will also contain a 1200 sqm spare parts depot.
Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Services and Support, and Corporate Strategy said that Bombardier expected the centre to provide extensive benefits to their customers in Australia.
“The new Melbourne Service Centre brings essential, specialised services for our customers, enabling us to continue to deliver the service excellence they have come to expect from Bombardier,” he said.
“Our new facility will provide infinite benefits, including quick aircraft turnarounds, greater convenience and OEM peace of mind to Bombardier’s growing customer base in Australia.”
As part of the aftermarket expansion, Bombardier opened a new service centre in Singapore earlier this year and will soon complete enhancements to its base at Biggin Hill in the UK and will soon open another service centre at Opa Locka Executive Airport in Florida.
Essendon Fields CEO Brendan Pihan said Bombardier's presence at the airport is evidence of Essendon Fields’ investment in creating a centre of excellence for general aviation.
"There are more business jets based here than anywhere in the country," he said, "and Bombardier’s commitment cements Essendon Fields as Australia’s home of business aircraft."