Keasha Maile, FEO, September 26, 2024, VOL. 6 ISSUE 2

On September 13, Airbus Helicopters marked a significant milestone, celebrating 40 years of its operations in Canada. The event, which highlighted the company’s vital contributions to the country’s aerospace industry, saw prominent government officials in attendance at their Fort Erie facility, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade, Vic Fedeli, among other dignitaries.

At the ceremony, Ontario Premier Doug Ford emphasized Airbus Helicopters’ significant economic impact over the past four decades, praising the company’s achievements and announcing a new manufacturing deal to support law enforcement efforts across the province.

“I’m so pleased to be here to congratulate the incredible team for their success, and to announce that our government is continuing to support Ontario manufacturing workers by ordering three new Airbus H135 helicopters,” Ford stated during the event. “For 40 years, Airbus has been an important part of the community here in Fort Erie, helping create good-paying manufacturing jobs for our world-class Ontario workers, with economic benefits that have stretched across the province.”

Minister Vic Fedeli echoed Premier Ford’s sentiments, praising Airbus Helicopters as a shining example of Ontario-made innovation on a global scale. He highlighted the company’s role in supporting the province’s aerospace sector and lauded its commitment to leveraging Ontario’s highly skilled workforce in both the tech and manufacturing sectors.

Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, emphasized Airbus’s unwavering dedication to innovation, quality, and close partnerships with customers. “As we celebrate this major milestone, it’s especially meaningful to see our trusted partners in law enforcement continue to choose us to support their vital missions.” Charette noted that the order of H135 helicopters by the OPP stands as a testament to the strong relationships Airbus has cultivated over the years.

Following the ceremony, dignitaries were invited on an exclusive tour of the Airbus facility, where they viewed impressive static displays of the company’s helicopters and gained insights into the advanced manufacturing processes that have positioned Airbus as a leader in the aerospace industry. The tour provided a firsthand look at the state-of-the-art technology and craftsmanship behind the helicopters produced in Fort Erie.

As a special highlight, a few lucky guests were given the rare opportunity to experience a helicopter ride right from the facility, offering them breathtaking aerial views of Fort Erie, further showcasing the capabilities of Airbus’s aircraft.

Looking ahead to the future, Airbus is positioning itself to be a leader in sustainable development and clean aviation technologies, shifting their focus to decarbonization of the aerospace industry. The company is exploring various solutions, including cleaner fuels, hydrogen-powered aircraft, and electric flight options, to address the global demand for environmentally friendly air travel.

Earlier in this year, Airbus made a significant step toward its green goals by signing memorandums of understanding with three of Canada’s busiest airports—Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport. These agreements aim to explore the feasibility of hydrogen infrastructure in the Canadian aviation sector, signaling Airbus’s commitment to driving sustainable advancements within the industry.