Bombardier will sell its amphibious aircraft program to Viking Air Ltd., the two Canadian companies announced today. The agreement covers the type certificates for all variants of the CL-215, CL-215T and Bombardier 415 airplanes, which are used worldwide as water bombers for firefighting. “This transaction supports our goal of rebuilding a clear path to profitable earnings growth,” said Alain Bellemare, CEO of 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.” Bombardier has had the program on hold since December 2015.
Viking will assume responsibility for product support, parts and service for the fleet of 170 water bombers in service with 21 operators in 11 countries. Viking said it will work from a newly acquired and specially repurposed 50,000-square-foot facility in Calgary. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Viking, which also manufactures and supports the Twin Otter line, said it will add up to 40 workers in Victoria and Calgary to support the new product. Bombardier said the 50 employees affected by the sale will be transferred elsewhere in the company.
