Bombardier is set to increase its customer service capabilities in the US by opening a service centre at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive airport (OPF) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The new centre will more than double the company's current customer service footprint in Florida and will include a paint facility to serve its customer base across the US and Latin America.

“By doubling our capacity to support more aircraft and adding new capabilities, our customers will benefit from the peace of mind that comes from our OEM expertise and from reduced aircraft downtime,” says VP and general manager of customer experience Jean-Christophe Gallagher. “Thanks to our long-term relationship with the state of Florida, we are thrilled to open our new facility at OPF, where many of our operators are already based.”

Planned for inauguration in 2020, the Miami facility will be fully equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, aircraft modifications, avionics installations, and AOG support for Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft. Once the facility is fully ramped up, Bombardier will swell its Florida staff to almost 300.

OPF is the largest of the county's general aviation airports. Bombardier's approximately $100 million investment there is expected to bring significant benefits to the region, including the development of a comprehensive aerospace cluster and the establishment of talent development partnerships with local colleges.

“Miami-Dade County is proud to be a key player in Bombardier's grassroots development of the aerospace industry in our region,” says county mayor Carlos Gimenez. “This new facility will employ nearly 300 of our residents in high-paying jobs averaging $70,000 annually, while also forging workplace partnerships with our local schools for continuing career opportunities.”

The 300,000 sq ft hub will become part of Bombardier's network of service centre facilities and mobile response team (MRT) units around the world. Following the inauguration of Miami-Dade, Bombardier will continue to support customers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a line maintenance station.

Bombardier is currently hiring additional maintenance technicians across its entire service network to support its recent expansions. Technicians will receive a type training course for mechanical and avionics certification to provide maintenance services at service centres worldwide, including London Biggin Hill, Singapore, Dallas Texas, Hartford Connecticut, Tucson Arizona and Wichita, Kansas.