News
Viking Air acquires assets of Bombardier

VICTORIA, BC, May 2 /CNW/ – Viking Air Limited announced today that it has acquired certain assets of the Commercial Service Centre (CSC) division of Bombardier Inc., becoming the leading spares manufacturer and distributor for de Havilland heritage aircraft product line. A total of 3,542of these aircraft have been produced since 1947, representing a significant part of Canada's aviation history. The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Specifically, the acquisition will involve the orderly transfer of product support responsibilities for the following heritage aircraft:

– DHC-1(x) Chipmunk – DHC-5(x) Buffalo
– DHC-2(x) Beaver – DHC-6(x) Twin Otter
– DHC-3(x) Otter – DHC-7(x) Dash 7(x)
– DHC-4(x) Caribou

This transaction will expand upon Viking's 20-year plus record as the exclusive spare parts manufacturer and distributor for the venerable DHC-2 Beaver and the DHC-3 Single Otter and as a major supplier to Bombardier for the DHC-6 and DASH 7 product lines. Viking will now provide directly to owners
and operators of de Havilland heritage aircraft, a complete range of services, including:

– Spare parts manufacturing and distribution
– Sales and customer service

As part of this transaction, Bombardier agreed to provide various transitional and engineering support services to Viking. Viking is working closely with Transport Canada in preparation for the assumption of
Bombardier's type certificate responsibilities in over the next few months. "This acquisition dramatically enhances our ability to provide existing and new Viking customers with the highest level of service across all the de Havilland heritage product lines," says Viking President and Chief Executive Officer David Curtis. "Viking has been proudly supporting Bombardier and the de Havilland brand for over 20 years. Now, we can provide a one stop shop for de Havilland heritage operators and maintainers worldwide. We are focused on providing our customers with the de Havilland experience they have come to trust."

The acquisition will result in the expansion of Viking's current facilities in Victoria, including the addition of personnel and the construction of new facilities to include engineering support and a new customer service centre. Due to its central location and access to key transportation lines, Calgary, Alberta is where Viking will establish a warehousing and distribution facility to accommodate the additional inventory required for expanded operations.

"Our plan involves a seamless transition of the Bombardier CSC responsibilities to Viking," adds Curtis. "Existing CSC customers should expect a true continuity of service and expertise. This transaction builds on the solid foundation that Viking has worked hard to establish over the last quarter century."

Michel Bourgeois, President, Bombardier Amphibious Aircraft stated, "Bombardier is pleased to have reached an agreement with Viking for the purchase of Bombardier's out-of-production de Havilland aircraft customer support centre business. Viking, a well established Western Canadian company
with which Bombardier has had a long and successful relationship, is dedicated to the support of these aircraft. We are confident that, through Viking, our valued customers of these heritage aircraft will benefit from service excellence by Viking, just as they have come to expect from Bombardier.
Bombardier looks forward to working with Viking over the next few months to ensure a seamless transition."