Bombardier Celebrates 75th Anniversary of de Havilland Canada

Bombardier Aerospace Thursday celebrated the 75th anniversary of de Havilland Canada at its Toronto facility, where many of Canada's most-successful aircraft were designed, built and delivered to customers throughout Canada, and to more than 100 countries worldwide.

"It is a great pleasure to be here to celebrate the 75th birthday of de Havilland Canada -- one of the great names in aviation and a part of the Bombardier family. Our products both in aerospace and rail transportation, today are recognized internationally as sophisticated and prestigious bearers of Canadian know-how and state-of-the-art technologies," said Paul Tellier, president and chief executive officer, Bombardier Inc. during the celebration ceremony held at the Bombardier Aerospace Toronto facility.

Since Bombardier Aerospace acquired de Havilland in March 1992, the vast majority of aircraft produced have been sold outside Canada, and the aircraft manufacturer has become one of the largest industrial employers in the Greater Toronto Area and an integral part of Canada's $21.5 billion aerospace industry.

The day-long celebration included a display of a dozen vintage and modern-day de Havilland/Bombardier aircraft built in Toronto, and was attended by almost 3,000 employees, retirees and invited guests. Among the well known aircraft on display for the anniversary event were a 1928 DH 60 Gipsy Moth, Tiger Moth, Chipmunk trainer, Beaver bushplane, Turbo Beaver, Turbo Caribou, Twin Otter, Dash 7 airliner, Bombardier 415 waterbomber, high-speed 74-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliner, and the ultra long-range Bombardier Global Express business jet.

"The history of Bombardier's site in Toronto spans three-quarters of the first century of flight," said Pierre Beaudoin, president and chief operating officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "It was born in the age of open cockpit biplanes, and evolved into the world's leading manufacturer of turboprop regional airliners and super-large and ultra long-range business jets."

"Along this journey, innovative aircraft, designed and produced at the Toronto site, played a vital role developing transportation in remote areas, pioneering advanced technologies, and laying the foundation for today's thriving regional airline industry," added Mr. Beaudoin.

FMI: www.aero.bombardier.com