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Innovation Takes Flight: Quebec’s Aerospace Edge

By Stéphanie Allard-Gomez - General Delegation of Québec in Mexico

General Delegate of Québec in Mexico

STORY INLINE POST

Innovation Takes Flight: Quebec’s Aerospace Edge

A snowstorm once changed the course of history. In a small Quebec town, a mechanic named Joseph-Armand Bombardier faced a desperate situation: his son was gravely ill, and the hospital was unreachable due to heavy snow. This personal tragedy sparked innovation. Determined to help rural communities combat winter isolation, Bombardier invented a vehicle that could cross snow-covered terrain. This invention would not only serve remote communities during winter but would also lay the foundation for one of Quebec’s most iconic and important aerospace companies: Bombardier Inc.

This story is more than a historical anecdote. It represents the spirit of Quebec, where challenges fuel creativity, and adversity sparks innovation. In Quebec, that spirit of resilience continues to power our aerospace sector today.

A Global Leader in Aerospace

Quebec is recognized around the world for its aerospace expertise. We are proud to be Canada’s No. 1 aerospace hub and the world’s third largest, after Seattle and Toulouse. The Montreal region is the heart of the province's aerospace industry. In fact, it is one of the few regions where an aircraft can be built almost entirely within a 30km radius. We have the capability to design, manufacture, and certify aircraft and components, all within a tightly integrated supply chain. Whether it's commercial aviation, helicopters, defense systems, or the rapidly growing space and drone sectors, Quebec offers end-to-end expertise.

According to the latest government reports, published in 2023, 61% of all manufacturing jobs and 21% of all MRO jobs were based in Quebec alone. That year, the province was also responsible for over 90% of Canada's aircraft exports, 74% of Canada's aircraft engine exports, and 32% of Canada's aircraft parts and other aerospace components exports.

The aerospace industry ranks first in terms of Quebec exports, accounting for nearly a quarter of all exports, representing more than US$20 billion in annual sales. Montreal, considered the world capital of civil aviation, is also home to various prestigious international aviation organizations, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Quebec hosts an ecosystem that has formed synergies across multiple levels over the years. It can count on the presence of five prime contractors — Airbus, Bombardier, Bell Textron Canada, CAE, and Pratt & Whitney — around 15 Tier 1 suppliers, OEMs and MRO specialists, as well as over 200 Tier 2 and 3 suppliers mostly involved in project implementation. These companies can rely on the academic institutions of the province to provide a skilled workforce through a wide variety of high-level programs, such as aerospace engineering or aerospace structural assembly.

The flourishing of the industry is also made possible thanks to the work of solid coordination networks like Aéro Montréal, the aerospace cluster of Quebec. By working to bring all stakeholders of the industry together around common objectives and concrete actions, Aéro Montréal creates cohesive efforts that optimize the competitiveness, growth and influence of the cluster, so that it remains a source of wealth creation.

Sustainability and Innovation for the Future

As the aerospace industry faces growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, Quebec is stepping up with bold ideas and sustainable practices. Our commitment to clean energy is unmatched: 99% of our electricity comes from renewable sources, mainly hydroelectricity. This allows manufacturers in Quebec to operate with a significantly smaller carbon footprint.

The province has around 20 research centers, some private, others directly funded by the government, that work closely with aerospace companies to provide groundbreaking technologies. As a matter of fact, the Montreal region accounts for 70% of all Canadian R&D investments in aerospace.

More recently, the government of Quebec announced the development of Espace Aéro, an innovation zone spread across the Montreal urban region, destined exclusively to aerospace. With an investment of US$$300 million, it brings together researchers, startups, and major companies to develop green aviation technologies, electric propulsion systems, and lighter aircraft components.

Quebec and Mexico: A Natural Partnership

Quebec’s relationship with Mexico in the aerospace sector dates back nearly two decades. In 2006, Bombardier opened a major facility in Queretaro, marking the beginning of a strong and growing partnership. Other innovative Quebec companies have followed suit, such as Nitrex, whose nitriding technologies are able to increase metal surfaces’ hardness by enriching them with nitrogen, or Delastek, whose use of composite components make cockpit cabins 20% lighter.

At the same time, Mexico’s aerospace industry has experienced rapid growth. According to the Mexican Federation of the Aerospace Industry, the number of companies in the sector increased from just 100 in 2004 to nearly 400 in 2023. The sector has also particularly well recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth has led to an increased demand for flight and maintenance training, parts and maintenance services, airport needs, and a variety of aircraft, including both fixed-wing and rotary. This represents a good opportunity for Quebec companies to strengthen their presence in Mexico.

In that sense, the economic service of the Québec Government Office in Mexico – active for 45 years now — can be a useful resource for Mexican companies seeking synergies with Quebec suppliers. With its strong aerospace expertise and skilled workforce, the province has great potential in being a long-term strategic ally that can contribute to the sustained growth of the Mexican sector. In today’s uncertain global economic context, collaboration between the two regions offers a way to build more resilient supply chains.

As the general delegate of Quebec in Mexico, I am proud to promote this partnership. We have already achieved great things together, and the future holds even more promise. By connecting our expertise, talent, and resources, we can take our aerospace industries to new heights.

Together, the sky is not the limit — it is just the beginning.

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