Tag Archives: Quebec

Bombardier opens Wichita learning center as part of $50M investment

15 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by in Aviation, Aircraft, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, Canada, Las Vegas, NBAA-BACE, Quebec, Transport, Travel

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The Wichita facility is Bombardier’s first dedicated in-house skills development center. Photo: Bombardier.

WICHITA, Kan. – Bombardier opened its North American Learning Center in Wichita on Thursday, part of a new $50 million investment by the Canadian business aircraft maker, less than six weeks after President Donald Trump threatened to block the company from selling aircraft in the United States unless they are built in America.

Bombardier has pushed back against the rhetoric, saying it employs thousands of Americans and supports tens of thousands of U.S. jobs through its operations and supply chain. The company spends more than $2.5 billion annually with U.S. suppliers.

The learning center will provide specialized training for newly hired aircraft technicians and mechanics who will support customers through Bombardier’s American service network. It is the company’s first dedicated in-house skills development center.

The investment also includes a recently expanded Wheel and Tire Shop, which uses specialized equipment and employee training to expand the company’s component repair and overhaul capabilities.

Bombardier said the projects will strengthen its U.S. operations and position the Kansas site for continued growth.

“Wichita has long been an important part of Bombardier’s story, and we continue to see tremendous opportunity for the site,” said Paul Sislian, executive vice president of aircraft sales and Bombardier Aftermarket Services.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Lt.-Gov. David Toland, Bombardier executives and industry representatives.

Kelly said her administration had partnered with Bombardier since 2019 to expand its presence in Wichita, which is home to the company’s U.S. headquarters and Bombardier Defense.

The company has about 3,500 employees and 10 service and manufacturing facilities across the country. It is also planning to open a service center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Bombardier Global 8000.
The Global 8000 will be among Bombardier aircraft on display: Photo: Bombardier.

At NBAA-BACE, the business aviation industry’s largest convention, opening in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Bombardier will put its Global 8000, Global 6500 and Challenger 3500 aircraft on static display.

The company will also host a discussion with John Travolta. The actor, who is type-rated on more than a dozen aircraft, including the Global Express, will share experiences from his 50 years of flying.

Trump targets Bombardier; Quebec vows to defend its companies

07 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by in Aviation, Bizjets, Bombardier, Canada, Quebec, Trade War

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The unveiling of Bombardier Global 6500 at EBACE 2018 in Geneva. Photo: Abdul Latheef.

WASHINGTON/MONTREAL – Claiming “their products aren’t good enough,” U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to block Canadian business jet maker Bombardier from selling airplanes in the country unless the aircraft are built in America.

Trump’s Truth Social post came amid a deteriorating trade war, with Canadian retaliatory tariffs due to go into effect Tuesday.

Quebec-based Bombardier is a key player in the U.S. business aviation market, the world’s largest. It also operates a specialty defense-related manufacturing facility in Kansas and service centers across the country, employing thousands of Americans.

Quebec defends Bombardier

Christine Fréchette: We will defend our companies. Photo: Govt. of Quebec.

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette wrote on X that she “will not respond to provocation with provocation.”

She called Bombardier “a source of pride for Quebec” and noted that the company employs thousands of Quebecers.

She added that she had reached out to Bombardier CEO Éric Martel to offer him support.

“Quebec will not allow anyone to dictate where our companies must produce in order to access a market,” Fréchette wrote. “We will defend our companies, our workers, and our expertise with resolve.”

Bombardier said in a statement late Monday that it employs thousands of Americans and supports tens of thousands of U.S. jobs through its operations and supply chain.

The company spends more than $2.5 billion annually with U.S. suppliers, making it a significant contributor to the American aerospace industry, the company said.

“Bombardier values its great partnership with American companies and its U.S. employees,” the statement continued. “Our plan is to continue to invest in our people, our customers and the communities in which we operate across the country.

It was not immediately clear how Trump could enforce a sales ban as the aerospace industry is highly integrated.