Bombardier this week announced plans to expand its service network in the U.S., citing growing demand and the expected entry into service of its Global 8000 ultra-long-range business jet later this year.
In a statement, the company said it will grow its footprint in areas where it already operates and enter new regions. It did not say what regions or cities are under consideration.
The multiyear plan calls for the hiring of new workers across the U.S., including airframe and powerplant technicians. Bombardier said it will expand its existing apprenticeship and talent recruitment programs to onboard those workers as efficiently as possible.
“Bombardier’s fleet in the United States is growing at a rapid pace, and so should our American network of services and support,” said Paul Sislian, executive vice president of aftermarket services and strategy at Bombardier. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our full commitment to provide exceptional care and seamless convenience, so that our customers can fly with total confidence.”
The company currently has service centers in Dallas, Miami, Tucson, Arizona, Hartford, Connecticut, and Wichita, Kansas. It also has a parts distribution center in Chicago and mobile response teams deployed across 20 U.S. locations.
Bombardier expects the Global 8000 to obtain certification and enter service at some point later this year. The high-powered business jet has an expected range of 8,000 nm and top speed of Mach 0.94 (627 knots), which would make it the fastest civilian aircraft since the Concorde. Its launch customer is U.S.-based NetJets, which plans to operate a fleet of 24 Global 8000s.
