In 1909, the Short brothers secured the UK manufacturing rights and orders to build six ‘Wright Flyers’, which justifiably led them to be called ‘the first manufacturers of aircraft in the world’. In 1936, Shorts established a new factory at Queen’s Island in Belfast. Over the years, the company has had a host of aviation firsts and its pioneering spirit and record of innovation continues today.
Acquired by Bombardier in 1989, the company is currently the largest manufacturer in Northern Ireland, employing around 5,000 people.
The Belfast operation undertakes substantial partnership roles in all of Bombardier's families of aircraft, including the detailed design and manufacture of the 70-seat CRJ700 (forward and centre fuselages, nacelles and wing components); the 86-seat CRJ900 (complete centre fuselage, nacelles and wing components);the 100-seat CRJ1000 (complete centre fuselage, nacelles and wing components); the Q400 regional turboprop (manufacture of forward, mid and aft fuselages, and wing mounted flight components); Bombardier's new commercial aircraft family, the CSeries (development and manufacture of the composite wings); the Learjet 45XR and the Learjet 40XR business jets (complete fuselage); the Challenger 300 business jet (centre fuselage); the Challenger 605 business jet (centre fuselage, nacelles); and the Bombardier Global 5000 and Global Express XRS business jets (forward fuselage, engine nacelles, horizontal stabiliser, tailcone, wing to fuselage fairings, wing slats and other composite components). The company also manufactures fuselage panels, wing components and engine nacelles for the Challenger 850 corporate jet.
Major nacelle components are produced in Belfast for the Rolls-Royce Trent 775 engine, which powers the Airbus A330 aircraft. Support is also provided for the Rolls-Royce RB211 range, which powers the Boeing 747 and 767. Complete nacelles, including thrust reversers, are produced for the General Electric CF34 engine, powering the Bombardier CRJ regional jet family and Challenger business jet, and complete nacelles for the Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710 engines selected for long-range intercontinental business aircraft, such as Bombardier's Global Express. Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast also supplies directly to Airbus the nose cowl and fan cowl doors for the International Aero Engines' V2500 powerplant, which is on service on the A319/A320/A321. In addition, EBU systems for the V2500 are also supplied to IAE.
Bombardier Customer Services
The Belfast Customer Services function has over 35 years of experience in operator support. It has a global customer base with more than 40 contracts. Its remit includes spare parts supply, component repair such as repairs to engine nacelles and flight control surfaces, as well as technical support, including in-service engineering and production of technical publications.
Local Economy and Community
Bombardier Aerospace's activities in the UK and Ireland benefit over 800 suppliers, subcontractors and other service firms. For example, Bombardier makes a significant impact on the wider economy, awarding contracts worth around £150 million to suppliers throughout the UK and Ireland annually.
The company allocates two per cent of profits each year to the Bombardier Aerospace (NI) Foundation, which provides donations to Northern Ireland based cross-community, educational and charitable organisations. Support is focused on education, equal opportunity and economic regeneration programmes, in addition to community investment projects and the environment. Bombardier in Belfast actively encourages the involvement of its aerospace trainees and employees in cross-community projects and in assisting local charities.