Bombardier plans major Belfast factory extension

Bombardier is pushing forward with plans that could extend its aircraft facility in Belfast by around 60%, according to a report in Ulster Business magazine.

The wing production and assembly facility at its Airport Road West site makes the resin-infused composite wings for the Airbus A 220 (formerly C-Series) aircraft.

The Canadian aerospace giant’s Belfast operation is being sold to US-based Spirit AeroSystems.

The firm (www.bombardier.com) says: “The proposed extensions are positioned to increase the capacity space for aircraft wing manufacturing and assembly.

"The extension design is largely driven by the spatial requirements of the processes that would be carried out in the building, such as large open spans and clear heights for lifting and manoeuvring the products and tools within the building.”