Bombardier plans to expand the footprint of its Singapore Service Centre to approximately 430,000ft² (40,000m²) by 2020 – more than quadruple the current 100,000ft² (9,260m²) – citing a growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.
The manufacturer is aiming to turn the facility into a “high-capacity, one-stop shop super center” for maintenance, refurbishment and modification, which could support more than 2,000 visits a year. The building work began on February 27, 2019.
The expansion will introduce new customer facilities, a 37,000ft² (3,500m²) paint facility, “advanced” interior finishing capabilities, plus key support functions, such as training, sales and customer support, and an expanded portfolio of component, repair and overhaul (CR&O) services. It will also offer heavy structural and composite repair capabilities, in addition to a 10,000ft² (929m²) integrated parts depot.
“Our high-capacity, optimized Singapore Service Centre will bring industry-leading aircraft availability, faster turnarounds and greater convenience and peace of mind to Bombardier’s growing customer base in Asia,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, vice president and general manager of customer experience at Bombardier.
“Customers will enjoy access to the complete range of OEM customer service and support right on their doorstep, 24/7, 365 days a year. This expansion is another key building block in our drive to enhance the accessibility of our OEM expertise for customers worldwide and to solidify our position as a leader in aftermarket services in the Asia-Pacific region, a pivotal growing part of our global network.”
The announcement follows the October 2018 news that Bombardier is growing its North American maintenance capabilities with the construction of an expanded service center at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. This facility will be inaugurated in 2020 and will be more than double the current customer service footprint in Florida. These major investments and expansions are the next steps in providing worldwide customers with enhanced maintenance and refurbishment options.
The Singapore Service Centre opened in 2014 at Seletar Aerospace Park. It currently employs more than 150 staff, including 100 licensed engineers and technicians, and has received more than 20 certifications and authorizations from international regulators to service the full range of Bombardier Global, Challenger and Learjet aircraft.
In addition to offering scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and AOG support, the Singapore Service Centre has completed complex retrofit work, including avionics and Ka-band installations.
“Bombardier’s decision to establish a full suite of aftermarket capabilities at its Singapore Service Centre will add to the vibrancy of activities at Seletar Aerospace Park,” said Tan Kong Hwee, executive director, Capital Goods, Singapore Economic Development Board.
“Bombardier’s expansion in Singapore is testament to our attractiveness as an aerospace hub, and our ability to capture growth opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to forging stronger ties with companies like Bombardier, to grow the sector and create more good jobs for Singaporeans.”
There are currently 320 Bombardier business jets operating in the Asia-Pacific region. Bombardier estimates industry-wide deliveries in the region between now and 2027 to be 950 aircraft for a forecasted sales revenue of US$37bn.
