Aerospace
A skyrocketing industry
The Québec aerospace workforce is the sixth largest in the world, and the sector is undeniably one of the best structured in the province’s economy.
Profile
- 225 businesses, including nearly 20 principal contractors and equipment manufacturers and over 200 subcontractors and product manufacturers.
- 39,500 jobs in 2010.
- $10.9 billion in total sales in 2010, representing an annual growth rate of 8.5% over 24 years.
- Roughly 55% of Canada’s total sales.
- Approximately 70% of Canadian R&D in the aerospace industry is based in the greater Montréal area.
- Over 80% of Québec production is exported.
Strenghts
The strength of the Québec aerospace industry stems from the presence of several world-class principal contractors and equipment manufacturers. Our network is among the most diversified in the world:
- commercial aircraft (regional and business)
- civil helicopters
- light and ultra-light aircraft
- turboshaft and turbojet engines
- flight simulators
- avionics
- anding gear
- space systems
- systems integration
Québec’s aerospace industry is backed by a highly qualified and diversified workforce. Two schools, two colleges and five universities in Québec offer specialized training in aerospace-related disciplines.
Subcontractors and suppliers offer a full line of specialty products and services, ranging from parts machining to highly sophisticated software development to surface treatment, composites, shot blasting, fast prototyping, hydraulics, avionics and electro-optics.
Getting results by thinking creatively
The CSeries family of aircraft, developed and assembled in Québec by Bombardier Aerospace, will boast the latest technological breakthroughs and, at less than 3 litres of fuel per passenger per 100 km, these aircraft will deliver the most energy-efficient and eco-friendly performance in their category.
Pilots from the world’s top airlines are trained using CAE flight simulators, while air traffic controllers develop their skills in Adacel control tower simulators.
The airspeed calculator developed by Montréal’s Air Data is used by several U.S. and European manufacturers of pilotless aircraft.
Getting ahead by aiming for the skies
AEROMART MONTRÉAL
This conference, which takes place in Montréal every two years, brings together 1,200 participants from 18 countries. In the 14 years since its inception in Toulouse, AEROMART has become the leading global event for the aerospace industry, featuring pre-planned, face-to-face meetings between:
- producers;
- equipment manufacturers;
- subcontractors and aerospace service providers from around the world.
The conference will next be held in April 2012.
International organizations
Montréal is home to numerous top international aviation-related organizations, including the following:
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- International Aviation Management Training Institute (IAMTI)
- Société internationale de télécommunications aéronautiques (SITA)
- International Business Aviation Council (IBAC)
- Airports Council International (ACI)
Latest investments in Québec
In 2010, the Dornier Seaplane Company announced it would be establishing an assembly plant in Québec, where it will manufacture and market its Seastar amphibious aircraft.
General Electric (GE) of Canada also announced that it would be investing in the manufacture of complex engine parts, namely:
- titanium alloy fan blade leading edges;
- fan blade segments;
- turbine blades and low-pressure compressor blades.
Finally, Pratt & Whitney Canada recently celebrated the grand opening of its global flight test centre in Mirabel.
Furthermore, in 2011, Pratt & Whitney Canada announced the opening of its PurePower engine assembly facility, also in Mirabel.
Québec aeronautical industry development strategy
Implemented in 2006, this strategy is designed to ensure Québec's:
- position as a global leader in principal contractors and equipment manufacturers;
- to promote the development of the province's contractors and suppliers.
The Québec government's five main target areas in this regard are:
- supporting prime contractors and equipment manufacturers;
- promoting the growth of Québec small business;
- maintaining a skilled workforce;
- supporting innovation and productivity;
- strengthening partnership with the federal government.
