Production of the new Learjet 85 aircraft has officially begun as the programme successfully exited the aircraft level critical design review. Development and production teams in Wichita, Kansas; Montréal, Québec; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Querétaro, Mexico, are actively engaged in the manufacturing validation phase.

"We have made solid progress," said Ralph Acs, vp and gm, Learjet, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "Our manufacturing sites are ready, production has begun, we have been successfully building parts and we are ensuring that all quality standards are met for the Learjet 85 aircraft's entry into service in 2013."

In Wichita, the first phase of expansion is complete and the site is ready for the start of final assembly. Phase two of the expansion plan, which includes building a new production flight facility, is scheduled to begin in 2012, while phase three – the paint facility and new delivery centre – is on track to be completed in 2013.

Launched on October 30, 2007, with a customer-driven clean-sheet design, the Learjet 85 aircraft is positioned between the midsize Learjet 60 XR and the super midsize Challenger 300 jets.