Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier boasts a heritage of innovation that dates back 110 years to the start of civil aviation. The acquisition of Canadair Inc. in 1986 was the first of several strategic moves that would see Bombardier consolidate leading aircraft design and manufacturing experience from around the world. In the following six years, Bombardier grew in strength and stature by acquiring in 1989 the world’s first aircraft production company: the Northern Ireland-based Short Brothers; followed soon thereafter by Learjet of Wichita, USA, in 1990; and de Havilland Canada in 1992. More recently, the company has established world-class design and manufacturing facilities in Queretaro, Mexico (2005) and in Casablanca, Morocco (2014).
As a responsible manufacturer of both commercial airliners and business jet aircraft, Bombardier views sustainability as fundamental in conducting business. It adheres to a Product Innovation Lifecycle to ensure that innovation is incorporated at every stage to produce the most sustainable and high-performing solutions, while mitigating the risks of new technology integration.
Guided by a dedicated Ecodesign Programme that is specifically mandated to integrate environmental concerns during all lifecycle stages of each new aircraft programme – from advance design phase to end-of-life – Bombardier recently took bold steps to pioneer a new path forward for all aircraft manufacturers.
On 24 September 2016, the eve of the 39th Session of the ICAO Assembly, Bombardier was bestowed with the first-ever Environment Product Declaration (EPD) in civil aviation by the Stockholm, Sweden-based International EPD System. Designated as S-P-00921, this rare accolade was awarded for Bombardier’s all-new C Series 100 single aisle airliner, now in revenue service and garnering strong reviews from operators and airports for its exceptionally low emissions and startlingly quiet operations.
Bombardier is applying this same rigour to other products. Scheduled to enter service in the second half of 2018, the ultra long-range Global 7000 business jet, which is currently in the early stages of a comprehensive flight test and certification programme, features advanced design techniques and technologies that will meet and exceed ICAO CAEP/8 for emissions and ICAO Chapter 4 for noise.
As a top steward of the constantly evolving Environmental portfolio, Bombardier also contributes to civil aviation worldwide through its long-time engagement in ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), as well as with numerous key international industry associations and agencies including the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG); the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC); the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industry Associations (ICCAIA); and the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA).
About the Contributor
This article was sponsored and prepared by Bombardier. Bombardier designs, manufactures and supports innovative aviation products and services and provides solutions and training for the business, commercial and other specialized aircraft markets.