Belgian aerospace company Sonaca is investing C$17 million in the expansion of its Sonaca NMF Canada subsidiary in Mirabel, Quebec. Sonaca NMF Canada provides most of the wing skins Bombardier uses for its CRJ regional aircraft and its business jets (Global Express, Learjet and Challenger series except the Challenger 300). It is also a supplier to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Embraer Aircraft and Israel Aircraft Industries (wing skins for the Gulfstream G100/150/200). The expansion will increase the plant area from 130,000 sq ft to 215,000 sq ft. Production capacity will grow by up to 50 percent. Work began last month and will be completed in 2009.

The Canadian and Quebec governments provided a financial incentive for the expansion, contributing C$3 million.

The company intends for the facility to produce complete sets of wings and larger wing panels such as those of the C Series line of 110- to 135-seat airliners Bombardier is studying.