Bombardier Aviation
Bombardier Inc.'s aviation division, focused primarily on premium business jets in the Global and Challenger families.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Bombardier Aviation is the aviation division of Bombardier Inc., a Canadian manufacturer headquartered in Dorval, Quebec. The business is best known today for designing, assembling, selling, and supporting large-cabin business aircraft, particularly the Global and Challenger families. It operates in the premium segment of business aviation, serving corporate flight departments, charter and fractional operators, governments, and high-net-worth private customers in markets around the world. The division developed into a major aerospace group through a series of acquisitions and internal programs. Bombardier acquired Canadair from the Government of Canada in 1986, helping return the nationalized aircraft manufacturer to profitability. It acquired Short Brothers of Belfast in 1989 and Learjet in 1990, followed by de Havilland Aircraft of Canada in 1992. These transactions gave Bombardier a broad industrial base spanning regional airliners, business aircraft, aerostructures, special-mission aircraft, and component manufacturing. At its peak, the wider aerospace operation had manufacturing and engineering activities in numerous countries and employed more than 70,000 people across the group. For much of the 1990s and 2000s, Bombardier Aviation was diversified. Its portfolio included Learjet aircraft, Challenger and Global business jets, Dash 8 turboprops, CRJ regional jets, the CSeries narrowbody program, and the CL-415 amphibious water bomber. The company also supplied aircraft structures, flight controls, engineering services, and specialized aircraft. The regional-aircraft business made Bombardier one of the most important competitors to Embraer, while its business-jet activities established a strong position in long-range and large-cabin private aviation. The CSeries became the division's most ambitious and financially demanding program. Designed for the roughly 100-to-150-seat market, it promised lower fuel consumption and modern cabin economics compared with older narrowbody aircraft. Development delays, limited early orders, production difficulties, and intense competition placed heavy pressure on Bombardier. The program generated major write-downs and required financial support from Quebec and Canada. A strategic partnership announced with Airbus in 2017 transferred control of the program to Airbus; the aircraft subsequently entered the market as the Airbus A220. Bombardier later completed its withdrawal from commercial aviation by divesting the Q Series turboprop business, the CRJ program, and its remaining interest in the A220 venture. The 2019 restructuring marked a decisive change in identity. After the commercial-aircraft disposals, Bombardier Aviation concentrated on business aviation, retaining the Global and Challenger families and their associated customer-support infrastructure. Learjet production was later discontinued, reflecting the company's effort to focus resources on larger and more profitable aircraft. The remaining business combines aircraft development and production with maintenance, refurbishment, training, parts, technical services, and a global support network. Bombardier Aviation therefore represents both a product brand and an industrial operating division: its public identity is tied to premium business jets, while its capabilities include a wider range of engineering and aftermarket services inherited from its aerospace history.
History
Bombardier's aviation history is rooted in the expansion of a Canadian transportation manufacturer into aircraft production. The company acquired Canadair from the Canadian government in 1986, after Canadair had been nationalized, and built the operation into a profitable aerospace platform. Bombardier then purchased Short Brothers in Northern Ireland in 1989, Learjet in the United States in 1990, and de Havilland Aircraft of Canada in 1992. Together, these acquisitions supplied manufacturing sites, engineering expertise, product families, and customer relationships across regional aviation and business aviation. During the following decades, the aerospace division operated a broad portfolio. Canadair and de Havilland programs supported Bombardier's presence in regional airline markets, while Learjet, Challenger, and Global aircraft served private and corporate aviation. Bombardier also produced specialized aircraft such as the CL-415 amphibious water bomber and supplied aerostructures and aircraft systems. The Dash 8 and CRJ families became important regional-aircraft products, and the company invested heavily in the CSeries, a clean-sheet narrowbody aircraft intended to compete in the lower end of the mainline commercial market. The CSeries achieved important technical milestones, including certification of the smaller CS100 by Transport Canada in 2015, but the program consumed substantial capital and encountered development, production, and sales challenges. Bombardier recorded major write-downs, reduced employment, sought government assistance, and reorganized its aerospace operations. In 2017, Airbus agreed to become the majority partner in the CSeries program. Airbus's involvement expanded the aircraft's market access and manufacturing footprint; the aircraft was renamed the A220 in 2018. Bombardier subsequently sold or transferred its remaining commercial-aircraft activities, including the Q Series turboprop and CRJ regional-jet programs, and exited the A220 partnership. These moves transformed Bombardier Aviation from a diversified regional and commercial aircraft group into a focused business-aviation organization. The division's current product identity centers on the Challenger and Global families, supported by aircraft completion, maintenance, parts, refurbishment, training, and technical services. Learjet, acquired in 1990, remained part of Bombardier's historical portfolio but production was later ended as the company prioritized larger-cabin aircraft and improved financial focus.
- 2019
Aviation division refocused on business jets
[1]After commercial-aircraft divestitures, Bombardier Aviation concentrated on the Global and Challenger business-jet families and support services.
- 2018
CSeries renamed Airbus A220
[1]The former Bombardier CSeries entered Airbus's product range as the A220.
- 2017
Airbus partnership announced
[1]Airbus and Bombardier agreed to cooperate on the CSeries, with Airbus later taking majority control.
- 2015
CSeries CS100 receives type certification
[1]Transport Canada granted initial type certification to the CS100 after a costly development program.
- 1992
de Havilland Aircraft of Canada acquired
[1]The acquisition added major regional-aircraft capabilities and the Dash 8 family to Bombardier's portfolio.
- 1990
Learjet acquired
[1]Bombardier purchased Learjet, strengthening its position in business aircraft.
- 1989
Short Brothers acquired
[1]The acquisition of Short Brothers expanded Bombardier's manufacturing and engineering presence in Northern Ireland.
- 1986
Canadair acquired
[1]Bombardier acquired Canadair from the Government of Canada and developed it into a profitable part of the aerospace group.
- 1970
Bombardier establishes its aerospace activity
[1]The aerospace business is identified with Bombardier's expansion into aircraft manufacturing and aviation-related activities.
Products and positioning
Premium business jet manufacturer and global aviation-services provider
Business jets
Global
The Global family is Bombardier's flagship line of large-cabin, long-range business jets. It serves intercontinental corporate, charter, government, and private missions and is positioned above smaller business aircraft in cabin volume, range, and onboard amenities. The family became the central pillar of Bombardier's post-commercial-aviation strategy.
Business jets
Challenger
The Challenger family comprises business jets used by corporate flight departments, charter operators, fractional providers, and private owners. It occupies the super-midsize and large-cabin segments and is one of Bombardier's most established aircraft lines, supported by a broad aftermarket and service network.
Business jets · 1990
Learjet
Learjet became part of Bombardier through the 1990 acquisition of the Wichita-based manufacturer. The line gave Bombardier a recognized presence in light and midsize business jets, although Bombardier later discontinued Learjet production while prioritizing larger-cabin aircraft.
Commercial aircraft
CSeries
The CSeries was Bombardier's clean-sheet family of approximately 100-to-150-seat narrowbody aircraft. It used new engines and a modern airframe to target lower operating costs and fuel consumption than older competing aircraft. The program was transferred into an Airbus partnership and became the Airbus A220.
Regional jets
CRJ Series
The CRJ family was a major regional-jet product line operated and manufactured by Bombardier Aviation. It included several capacity variants used by airlines worldwide. The program formed part of Bombardier's commercial-aircraft portfolio before being divested.
Regional turboprops
Dash 8 / Q Series
The Dash 8 and Q Series aircraft were regional turboprops used for short-haul passenger operations. They were among Bombardier's best-known commercial products, but the business was later sold as part of the company's withdrawal from commercial aviation.
Special-mission aircraft
CL-415
The CL-415 was an amphibious water bomber designed for aerial firefighting. Bombardier manufactured the aircraft in Canada as part of its historical specialized-aircraft portfolio.
Controversies
2017
CSeries subsidy and dumping dispute with Boeing
Boeing challenged Bombardier's sale of CSeries aircraft to Delta Air Lines, alleging below-cost pricing supported by Canadian government subsidies. U.S. authorities initially proposed exceptionally high duties, but the U.S. International Trade Commission later found that the domestic industry was not threatened and no duties were imposed.
Brand decisions
2019
Commercial aviation divestiture and business-jet focusStrategyBackground
Bombardier faced continuing financial pressure and sought to simplify its portfolio around businesses with stronger strategic fit and returns.
Action taken
The company divested its remaining commercial-aircraft interests and reorganized Bombardier Aviation around Global and Challenger business jets and aviation services.
Aftermath
Bombardier Aviation became a focused premium business-aviation manufacturer rather than a broad regional-aircraft producer.
2017
Airbus takes control of the CSeries programM&ABackground
The CSeries needed stronger sales reach, supply-chain support, and production economics after a costly development period.
Action taken
Bombardier and Airbus formed a partnership, with Airbus acquiring a majority stake in the program's holding company. A second assembly line was planned in Mobile, Alabama.
Aftermath
The aircraft was renamed the Airbus A220 in 2018 and gained access to Airbus's global commercial network.
2015
CSeries program supported with government financingStrategyBackground
Development costs, delays, and limited firm orders placed severe financial pressure on the CSeries program and its parent company.
Action taken
Quebec invested in the entity controlling the CSeries program, while Bombardier continued discussions with the Canadian federal government for additional assistance.
Aftermath
The program remained funded long enough to achieve certification and secure additional airline commitments, but continued to require a strategic solution.
Quebec investment. US$1 billion announced investment (2015)
2014
Aerospace operations reorganizedStrategyBackground
Weak orders and pressure across the aerospace portfolio led Bombardier to review its operating structure.
Action taken
The aerospace business was divided into business aircraft, commercial aircraft and aerostructures, and engineering-services activities, accompanied by workforce reductions.
Aftermath
The reorganization preceded further cost reductions and eventual concentration on business aviation.
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