Canada’s only aircraft maker, Bombardier Aerospace, says it will eliminate 1,360 jobs, or about 4.5 per cent of its workforce, as it decreases Learjet and Challenger production in response to flagging demand.
The job cuts are expected to impact 1,010 temporary workers and about 350 permanent staff members. Layoffs will take place at plants in Montreal, Wichita, Kan. and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Most of the cuts will target shop-floor assembly jobs for the Challenger.
Bombardier said it hopes to offset the layoffs by hiring more than 800 permanent employees for some of its new aircraft projects.
There are 730 job openings in Montreal for aircraft engineers, especially for the new CSeries and Learjet 85, and positions in upholstery and cabinet finishing.
