aerobd.news : Bombardier plans to open a new service center at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, in 2020, serving Learjet, Challenger and Global customers in the USA and Latin America. The move will more than double the company’s customer service footprint in Florida, adding capabilities including painting, and take its staff numbers in the state to nearly 300. Services will include scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, modifications, avionics and AOG. The facility will be approximately 300,000ft² (27,871m²) in size.

“By doubling our capacity to support more aircraft, and adding new capabilities, our customers will benefit from the peace of mind that comes from our OEM expertise and from reduced aircraft downtime,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, vice president and general manager, customer experience, Bombardier. “Thanks to our long-term relationship with the state of Florida, we are thrilled to open our new facility at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, where many of our operators are already based.”

Bombardier is investing around US$100m in the new facility. The move will result in the development of an aerospace cluster and partnerships with local colleges to develop talent. “Miami-Dade County is proud to be a key player in Bombardier’s grassroots development of the aerospace industry in our region,” said Carlos Gimenez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County. “This new facility will employ nearly 300 of our residents in high-paying jobs averaging US$70,000 annually, while also forging workplace partnerships with our local schools for continuing career opportunities.”

source : Business Jet Interiors International