Bombardier to sell its amphibious aircraft program to Viking Air Ltd

Montréal – Bombardier Inc. has reached a definitive agreement for the sale of its amphibious aircraft program to British Columbia-based Viking Air Limited. The agreement covers the type certificates for all variants of the aircraft, the CL-215, the CL-215T, and the Bombardier 415 aircraft, plus after-market services.

 

The completion of this transaction is subject to the approval of all required governmental and regulatory authorities and the fulfillment of other customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the next few months. 

 

“This transaction supports our goal of rebuilding a clear path to profitable earnings growth and cash generation,” said Alain Bellemare, president and chief executive officer, Bombardier Inc. “While the Amphibious Aircraft program is part of our long history, this divestiture positions Bombardier to better focus on our core, higher growth businesses; business jets, commercial aircraft, and rail transportation.”

 

No amphibious aircraft have been produced since December 2015 after Bombardier paused the program. The decision to sell the amphibious aircraft program was made after careful deliberation and a rigorous analysis. Viking Air, a long-standing Bombardier collaborator, is the perfect successor to continue to build the value and reputation of the program while ensuring the sustainability of the fleet. Viking Air will provide the right customer support to operators who, given the aircraft’s unique firefighting capabilities, play an essential role in the protection of communities, environment, resources, and wildlife.

 

Bombardier’s amphibious aircraft are emblematic of Canada and are the backbone of many firefighting operations around the world. The Bombardier 415 was launched in 1994 and drew on the success of the earlier CL-215 and CL-215T versions to establish itself as the only purposely built firefighting aircraft in the world. Close to 170 Bombardier amphibious aircraft are in service worldwide.

 

Plans are underway to transfer the 50 amphibious aircraft program employees to other parts of the Bombardier organization following the completion of an orderly transition of the business.

 

Headquartered in Victoria, BC, Viking supports, services, and manufactures the Twin Otter. Incorporated in 1970, Viking initially focused on flying boats before developing a repair and modification business in 1983 when de Havilland Inc. selected Viking as its exclusive spare parts manufacturer and distributor for the de Havilland DHC-2 Mk I Beaver, Mk III Turbo Beaver, and DHC-3 Single Otter aircraft. This transformation culminated in 2006, when Viking acquired the original type certificates (manufacturing rights) for all out-of-production de Havilland aircraft from the DHC-1 Chipmunk through to the DASH-7 50 passenger STOL regional airliner.

 

In 2007 Viking launched the Twin Otter Series 400 production program, and to date more than 100 aircraft have been sold to 29 countries worldwide. With a current production rate averaging one new aircraft delivered every 15 business days, the Twin Otter Series 400 is currently the best-selling next generation 19-passenger aircraft.

 

Bombardier’s CRJ Series regional jets, Q Series turboprops, as well as Learjet, Challenger, and Global business jets are in service around the world with more than 45 military, government, security, and corporate agencies, and the addition of the new C Series aircraft to Bombardier’s portfolio will increase the number of platforms and derivatives available for special mission applications to six and 14 respectively.