Bombardier makes partial delivery of C Series jets

BOMBARDIER has delivered three of its part-Belfast made C Series jets which are now at the centre of an international trade dispute.

The airline delivered jets to Swiss and Air Baltic, it’s understood.

The sales were part of the delivery of 114 aircraft in August for the UK aerospace industry.

According to industry body ADS, the total deliveries for the year have now reached 885, worth up to £17bn to the UK.

Bombardier’s Northern Ireland workforce is facing uncertain times, after being dealt a blow over its C Series planes.

A complaint by rival Boeing against Bombardier could now result in a massive 220% tariff on its Belfast-made C Series planes being sold to the US.

Prime Minister Theresa May says the Government will continue to work to protect more than 4,000 employees at Bombardier’s plants here, who face an uncertain future after a ruling by the Trump administration’s Department of Commerce.

Paul Everitt, ADS chief executive, said: “Deliveries of commercial aircraft this year have reached £17bn in value to the UK, showing the strength of the sector and its importance to our economy.

“Continued high global demand for new aircraft means it remains vital to achieve new productivity gains. There can be no room for complacency in maintaining the UK’s hard-won competitiveness.”