This $100 million project is a logical step for the private-jet maker.
Last November, La Presse revealed that it was planning to increase production of the Challenger 3500, one of its cash cows. Inside the multinational’s complex near Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, space is also tight.
“We’ve had strong growth in recent years, both here in Montreal and everywhere else,” said David Murray, Bombardier’s Executive Vice-President, Manufacturing, IT and Systems Technologies, during a press scrum in the company’s hangars. “We’re continuing in that direction to keep up with demand.”
He was joined for the announcement by Christine Fréchette, Quebec’s Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy.
More concretely, Bombardier will add the equivalent of two football fields of floor space—126,000 square feet (11,705 square metres)—in Dorval by the end of 2027. That is roughly one-tenth of its current footprint in the area.
In that context, Quebec granted the loan under the ESSOR program, which is open to all companies pursuing investment projects. This is not a government intervention specifically targeted at the Quebec-based manufacturer, which will have to repay the loan in full.
“The customers are there, so for us, that’s a sign it’s a good investment,” Fréchette said.
A growing footprint
This expansion in Dorval comes less than six months after Bombardier moved its component production site in Moorpark, California, to gain more space. In summer 2024, its new US$400 million plant near Toronto Pearson International Airport—where Global family business jets are built—began operations.
Bombardier is among the few companies still climbing despite the turbulence of the Trump administration’s trade war. Nothing appears to be slowing the growth of business aviation.
In its recent annual review, analytics firm WingX noted that 2025 was “the busiest year ever recorded for global business aviation.” Activity rose by 5% and nearly 4 million departures were recorded, a record, WingX said.
Bombardier expects to push the accelerator in 2028 with Challenger production. The broad outlines of its strategy appeared in a memorandum of understanding reached on October 22 between the Montreal-based manufacturer and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW)—a document La Presse was able to review.
“Bombardier intends to double its Challenger 3500 production line […] which will create new positions,” the document states. “Bombardier informed the IAMAW of its intention to increase its market share in the [midsize] aircraft category, which will have an impact on the production rate.”
This does not necessarily mean doubling annual output here, but rather increasing the floor space of the Challenger plant in Dorval dedicated to building the model, which is considered one of the company’s most popular aircraft.
Since it refocused on business aviation, the Global 7500, a large-cabin aircraft, has been seen as the company’s spearhead. Still, the Challenger 3500, which can carry up to 10 passengers, remains popular with the ultra-wealthy and fleet operators.
After the first nine months of 2025, the Challenger family accounted for nearly half of Bombardier’s total deliveries—93 aircraft—according to data compiled by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
