28 October 2020: Bombardier’s ambitious plans to establish a worldwide customer service network has hit another milestone with the opening of 50,000 square feet MRO centre at Melbourne, Australia. The new facility is at Essendon Fields Airport and will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul on all Bombardier business aircraft, a parts depot and an in-house fixed based operation (FBO), employing some highly skilled technicians. This facility will definitely ramp up Bombardier’s footprint in the Asia-Pacific region along with establishing the next key building block in its growing global customer support network.
The new facility will provide customers with a variety of service options including scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, modifications, avionics installations and AOG support for Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft. It will also have the capacity to service two Global 7500 aircraft Bombardier’s exquisite, industry-defining flagship aircraft, at one time. The new service centre will also boast a 4,000 sq. ft. parts depot. Construction is set to begin this year, with the facility slated to be operational in 2022.
Thrilled with the addition of this facility, Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Services and Support, and Corporate Strategy, Bombardier Aviation said, “This facility will further builds on Bombardier’s commitment to Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. By adding more specialized know-how and greater capacity to support more aircraft in this key location, we are providing our customers even more reasons to bring their jets home.”
Australia is a key market for Bombardier. With more than half of the 168-aircraft strong Australian business fleet made up of Bombardier aircraft, this new facility will serve as an important gateway to Asia-Pacific, serving as a key focal point for customers in the region and for future growth prospects of the Bombardier fleet.
The Victoria Government has supported Bombardier’s development of the new facility and its growth plan. “The Victorian Government is proud to be supporting Bombardier to grow its footprint here in Melbourne, creating more than 50 jobs,” said Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery. “This is a regionally-significant development and one that cements Victoria as a major player in Asia-Pacific aviation.”
Brendan Pihan, CEO of Essendon Fields said, “This is a tremendous outcome for Melbourne, and it solidifies Essendon Fields as the home of corporate jets in Australia. Essendon Fields will now attract a sizeable proportion of all Bombardier aircraft in the region to Victoria for aircraft service and maintenance. This is a long-term commitment, by both parties. With this announcement, we demonstrate a strong commitment to the future of aviation at Essendon Fields.’’
Corey Trudgen, the former General Manager of the Biggin Hill Service Centre, will assume the same role at the new facility in Melbourne.
