Bombardier to partner Airbus on C-Series jets
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Parts of Bombardier’s C-Series planes are made in Belfast
European aerospace firm Airbus is to take a majority stake in Bombardier’s C-Series jet project.
The C-Series has faced a series of problems, most recently a trade dispute in the US that imposed a 300% import tariff on the plane.
Bombardier’s Northern Ireland’s director Michael Ryan said the deal was “great news” for the Belfast operation.
About 1,000 jobs are linked to the C-Series, the wings of which are made at a purpose-built factory in Belfast.
Bombardier was accused of anti-competitive practices by rival Boeing, which complained to the US authorities.
Boeing accused the Canadian firm of selling the jets below cost price after taking state subsidies from Canada and the UK.
UK business Secretary Greg Clark said the Airbus tie-up was a “positive step forward”.
He said the UK and Canadian governments had been working to “safeguard jobs and manufacturing at Bombardier Shorts in Belfast, and the supply chain across the UK”.
“We will continue to work closely with the companies to protect UK interests and with the Canadian government to ensure the unjustified case brought by Boeing is brought to a swift resolution,” he added.
