Aerospace giant Bombardier (www.bombardier.com) is expected to move ahead with plans for an expansion of its wings factory in Belfast, prompting renewed confidence in its C-Series aircraft, according to a report in the Belfast Telegraph.

The company, which has Belfast-born Michael Ryan at the helm, will increase the size of its Airport Road West factory by 17,000m² — roughly a third.

Ernie Arvai, co-founder of aerospace consulting firm AirInsight, said: “The expansion of the Belfast facility bodes well for the C-Series, while the expertise in resin transfer moulding and advanced composite wing manufacturing will be useful for other Bombardier business jets — and potentially other Airbus commercial programmes in the future.”

Bombardier employs around 4,000 people in Northern Ireland, including 1,000 working on the C-Series.

In January, staff were relieved to hear that the US International Trade Commission backed the aircraft manufacturer against its rival Boeing in a long-running trade dispute.

It had been facing a 292% tariff on the sale of its aircraft in the USA, which would have put hundreds of Belfast jobs in jeopardy. Following the ruling, Bombardier announced a 57% increase in its profits.

Its earnings before interest and tax rose from £304 million in 2016 to £478 million in 2017.

In its latest results, Bombardier said: “We are moving ahead and making progress obtaining regulatory approvals for the announced partnership with Airbus for the C-Series aircraft.

“In the meantime, we are conducting site visits and planning for the operation of a final US assembly line in Mobile, Alabama.”