Bombardier Belfast and textile manufacturer SAERTEX have reached an agreement to expand the partnership by contract to produce carbon fiber non-crimped fabric wing skin components for the Airbus A220 aircraft.
SAERTEX provides fabric reinforcements and carbon fiber non-crimp fabrics. Bombardier uses its resin transfer infusion (RTI) manufacturing process to produce wing skins for the A220 aircraft. According to SAERTEX, its non-crimp fabric developed specifically for Bombardier has facilitated the application of RTI technology and significantly reduced the weight of the aircraft and improved fuel efficiency.
"The aviation sector is a key strategic pillar in SAERTEX's business unit. We believe that extending the contract is an affirmation of what we have done so far, and we would like to thank our customer Bombardier for trusting us." SAERTEX CEO Christoph Geyer said.
The wings of the A220 are manufactured by Bombardier's factory in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As of October 2019, Spirit AeroSystems has reached an agreement to acquire Bombardier ’s aircraft structure and after-sales business in Belfast, Casablanca and Dallas. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2020, and still needs to obtain regulatory approval and meet customary closing conditions.
After Bombardier withdrew from the commercial aircraft manufacturing business, according to the announcement issued on February 13, 2020, French Airbus and the Canadian Quebec government have become the sole owners of the A220 plan.