#Airbus #A220 #Quebec
MIRABEL,
QC, July 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Airbus and the
Government of Quebec are jointly
investing US$1.2 billion in the
Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Airbus Canada) in proportion to
their respective share ownership and are extending their
partnership until 2035. This investment by the two shareholders in
the industrialization and continuous improvement of the only
commercial aircraft programme designed and manufactured in
Quebec is key to the success of
the A220 programme. The economic benefits from Airbus and the A220
have benefited, and will continue to benefit, the Quebec economy.
The shareholders of Airbus Canada made the announcement at a
press conference today at the A220 site in Mirabel, in the Laurentians, with the Premier
of Quebec, François Legault, the
Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, the Minister
Responsible for Regional Economic Development and the Minister
Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal Region,
Pierre Fitzgibbon, the Member of the
National Assembly for Mirabel,
Sylvie D'Amours, and the Member for Les
Plaines, Lucie Lecours.
Airbus holds 75% of the shares in Airbus Canada, and the
Government of Quebec holds 25%. In
proportion to their respective share ownership, Airbus will invest
up to US$900 million and the
Government of Quebec up to
US$300 million, through
Investissement Québec. The shareholders also agreed to extend the
redemption date of the Government of Quebec's equity interest in the partnership,
from 2030 for an additional five-year period to 2035, which will
give Airbus Canada time to create more value for the A220
programme, particularly as we aim to deliver 14 aircraft per month
in 2026.
Quotes
"I am very proud to announce a new investment by our government
in the Airbus A220 programme, a Quebec-designed aircraft which is the best in
the world in its category. Today, we are consolidating the presence
of Airbus, an aerospace giant, in a sector that creates enormous
wealth for our nation. We are building a strong, prosperous and
forward-looking economy in Quebec," declares François Legault, Premier of
Quebec.
"The A220 is the fruit of Quebec genius, and we can be proud of having
developed one of the best aircraft in the world. By extending our
partnership with Airbus to accelerate activities around the
development of the A220 aircraft, we are securing key jobs in the
Mirabel region for years to come,"
says Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of
Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional
Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis
and the Montreal Region.
"Since Airbus joined the partnership with the Government of
Quebec in 2018, we have made a
considerable investment in the A220 programme, in order to give
this aircraft all the industrial fundamentals, processes and skills
that will ensure all the success it deserves. We strongly believe
in the future of the A220, one of the most technologically advanced
aircraft, which is already recognized by airlines for its economic
performance and reduced carbon footprint, and is also a favourite
with passengers because of its innovative cabin design.
Quebec has an outstanding labour
force and aerospace ecosystem, and therefore has everything needed
to ensure the full potential of the A220 programme," expressed
Benoît Schultz, CEO of Airbus Canada.
About the A220
The programme has experienced substantial growth. Here are some
key facts and figures about the achievements of the A220 and the
Mirabel site since Airbus gained
majority ownership on July 1,
2018:
- The order book has more than doubled to over 900 aircraft to
date.
- The number of employees has increased by 75%, including 1,600
new hires in Quebec over the last
two years, for a total of 3,500 people working on the A220.
- The A220 has over 55% market share in its category, and
improvements to the aircraft have been made to extend its range and
increase its passenger load factor.
- 20 times more passengers have flown on the 340 A220 aircraft
currently operated by airlines, for a total of 100 million
passengers to date.
- Numerous industrial projects, such as the expansion of
workstations, the addition of the only Airbus subassembly area
outside Europe and inauguration of
the A220 Flight and Integration Test Center, which began operations
at the beginning of the year and ensures continuous improvement of
the product. This is the second Airbus flight test center in the
world, and comprises two test aircraft and aircraft test beds.
- A commitment to innovation in Quebec as a driver of sustainable growth with
the creation of ten partnerships between Airbus, SMEs, research
centers and universities, particularly in supporting development of
sustainable aviation fuels and of studies on the recycling of
aeronautical materials.
A recent study undertaken by PwC estimates that the A220 will
have an economic impact in Canada
of more than $40 billion over 20
years. You can access the study HERE.
For more information on the A220, visit the page HERE.
About Airbus in Canada
The A220 is the only Airbus commercial aircraft programme to be
piloted outside of Europe, making
Canada the most significant
official presence of Airbus outside of Europe. In Canada, more than 4,500 people work at ten
sites and Airbus offices and subsidiaries, 4,000 of them in
Quebec. 2024 marks the 40th anniversary for
Airbus in Canada, given that its
division Airbus Helicopters Canada, based in Fort Erie in Ontario, started its operations in 1984. To
learn more about Airbus in Canada,
click on the page HERE.
About Airbus
Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united
world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and
technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and
connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus designs and
manufactures modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated
services. Airbus is also a European leader in space systems,
defence and security. In helicopters, Airbus provides efficient
civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.
SOURCE Airbus