Bombardier announced a 100,000-sq-ft expansion plan at its factory-owned service center at Love Field in Dallas. Construction will begin in the fall and is expected to take one year.

The facility will nearly double in size with the addition of a 52,500-sq-ft hangar to accommodate Challengers and Globals. The expansion will provide another 45,000 sq ft of back-shops, support and office space. The new facility will be staffed by approximately 125 full-time employees. Bombardier projects that number will reach 197 employees over the next five years. According to a company spokesman it will increase current work capacity by more than 60 percent.

Europe, Middle East and Asia Bombardier has also announced a significant expansion of its support for European business aircraft customers as it continues to expand its worldwide service footprint. The company is in the preliminary stages of establishing a line repair station in Russia to accommodate the Challengers and Globals there. Bombardier also plans to establish a Global aircraft flight simulator in Europe by the fourth quarter of 2007 and will begin operations at its Frankfurt parts superwarehouse in the fall.

A new service center and spare parts depot is scheduled to begin operations this fall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Bombardier plans to open an authorized service facility and line repair station in India within 12 months.