Viking acquires water bomber programme from Bombardier

Canadian aircraft manufacturer Viking Air Limited has announced the acquisition of the worldwide amphibious aircraft programme from Bombardier, a Canadian aerospace company. The programme includes the Bombardier CL-415, as well as the earlier CL-215 and CL-215T versions.

Viking said that the transaction will see it acquiring the manufacturing rights for Bombardier’s amphibious aircraft, and that it will also take on responsibility for product support, parts and service for the 170 waterbombers already in use. Viking also says it has recently acquired and repurposed a 50,000-sq-ft (4,645-sq m) space in Calgary to help support operations. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

“This acquisition expands Viking’s capabilities in product support and parts into another niche aviation segment,” said David Curtis, president and chief executive officer of Viking. “We are proud to add another iconic Canadian aircraft program to Viking’s stable – our aim is to take the 415 to its highest potential and keep these aircraft in service for decades to come.”