MIRABEL, QC, Oct. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- On the occasion of the Mirabel site's 25th anniversary, Airbus is announcing new facilities and investments in skills development to support the growth of the A220 programme. With several hundred million dollars invested in buildings, infrastructure and tooling at the site since 2018, a total target production rate of 13 aircraft per month by 2028, and the recruitment of several hundred people each year, Airbus continues to strengthen its strategic presence in Quebec.
Since 2001, the Mirabel site, home to the A220 programme, has established itself as a major hub for Canada's aerospace industry. Today, more than 550 A220 aircraft are flying with 25 airlines worldwide, from the Americas to Oceania, as well as across Europe, Asia and Africa. Underscoring this significant impact, a PwC Canada study found that last year, nearly 60% of all Canadian aircraft exports, across all categories, were Airbus products assembled locally. The site's workforce has grown sixfold, from approximately 700 to more than 4,600 employees, including Airbus Atlantic Canada, making Airbus the largest private-sector employer in the city. The site now spans more than one million square feet.
"For 25 years, our Mirabel teams have rigorously shaped Quebec's aerospace excellence. Their day-to-day expertise is what has established the A220 as a global benchmark in the 100-to-160-seat market," said Guillaume Chevasson, Head of A220 Programme and CEO of Airbus Canada. "To sustain this growth, we need to adapt our site, prepare the next generation and develop the skills of the future. By investing in people and state-of-the-art infrastructure, such as our new Airbus prototyping space (Protospace) and Tech Hub, we are building the future of Mirabel and Canada's aerospace industry."
This momentum is reflected today in the opening of the new People, Quality and Aviation Safety Centre. Designed to support the continued development of the site and the A220 programme, the centre offers immersive, interactive, hands-on experiences to promote best practices among employees, customers, suppliers and partners.
Airbus is also working on the upcoming expansion of its flight test activities into a new building at the YMX Mirabel Technology Park. Increasing aircraft parking capacity will be key to supporting flight testing, the final assembly line (FAL) and the customer line as production ramps up. Within two years, more than 150 A220 aircraft will be delivered annually from Airbus sites, with the in-service fleet expected to exceed 1,000 aircraft by the end of the decade.
This expansion also addresses the industry's demographic challenge: over the next ten years, Airbus expects to need several thousand new employees in Mirabel, as a significant number of current employees will become eligible for retirement. Attracting, developing and retaining talent is therefore a strategic priority. Since Airbus arrived in Mirabel in 2018, significant investments have been made to modernize the site, including a new pre-final assembly line (Pre-FAL), a new Delivery Centre, additional aircraft positions and the launch of a Canadian branch of the Airbus Leadership University.
To help sustain these skills over the long term, Airbus is also investing nearly $200,000 in the academic community:
- Polytechnique Montréal: Renewal of the partnership through 2029, representing $30,000 in annual financial support for scholarships and aerospace-focused student committees.
- HEC Montréal: In recognition of this philanthropic commitment, a study and collaborative space for students will be named the 'Airbus Lounge' starting in 2027.
These partnerships build on existing agreements with McGill University and the University of Waterloo, as well as strategic collaborations with École nationale d'aérotechnique (ÉNA – National Aerotechnical School) and the École des métiers de l'aérospatiale de Montréal (ÉMAM – Montreal Aerospace Trades School), helping to strengthen ties between academia and industry.
As Airbus celebrates the achievements of 25 years of aerospace expertise in Mirabel, the company is firmly focused on the future. By investing in innovation, quality and people development, Mirabel will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the industry while remaining a major driver of economic, technological and talent development for Quebec and Canada.
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SOURCE Airbus
Media contacts: Amélie Forcier, AIRBUS, Canada, +1 514-452-5279, [email protected]; Annabelle Duchesne, AIRBUS, Canada, +1 438-402-4276, [email protected]
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