Montréal Civil Aviation Week - Aéro Montréal sets a new objective: Towards a 100% recyclable aircraft!

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 3, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of Montréal Civil Aviation Week, Aéro Montréal, the think tank of Québec's aerospace cluster, last saturday brought together nearly 400 participants, including students and company, government and academic representatives, at Montréal's École de technologie supérieure (ETS) for a case study competition on the development of a 100% recyclable aircraft. A panel of experts awarded top honours to Cyclair project, from École Polytechnique of Montréal, while all the participants learned more about this future challenge.

Aircraft recycling is one of the main challenges for the future of the global aerospace industry. Post-secondary and university students from Québec were asked to develop a sustainable and profitable solution for recycling all the components of an end-of-life aircraft, here in Québec.

"We are especially proud today to see young people working alongside major players in the industry," says Suzanne M. Benoît, president, Aéro Montréal. "This shows that it's important for aerospace industry students to take environmental factors into account as soon as they start their post-secondary studies. The aerospace industry is generating a lot of interest among young people. We need to maintain that passion and support them to ensure a quality and vital succession."

"These kinds of initiatives help to promote the ingenuity of our youth and spark their interest in the aerospace sector," says Suzanne M. Benoît, President of Aéro Montréal. "The theme of aircraft recycling is central to tomorrow's challenges. This contest reflects the leadership that our industry is demonstrating when it comes to environmental concerns in aerospace, and is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about this challenge."

Over the past five years, the average lifespan of a commercial aircraft has fallen to 26 years from 31 years, which has accelerated the end of life of these aircraft. About 6,000 commercial aircraft will be decommissioned in the next 20 years while the number of passengers will total 7.3 billion by 2036.

About Aéro Montréal (aeromontréal.ca)
Created in 2006, Aéro Montréal is a strategic think tank that groups all major decision makers in Québec's aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, as well as associations and unions.

Aéro Montréal's mission is to engage Québec's aerospace cluster with a view to increasing its growth and expansion on the global scene. Its vision is to become a benchmark in global aerospace. To this end, it champions the following values: excellence, engagement, collaboration, versatility and innovation.

www.aeromontréal.ca

SOURCE Aéro Montréal

For further information: Gwenaël Brisé, Communications Manager, Aéro Montréal, Cell: 438 497-3857, Off: 514 987-9395, gwenael.brise@aeroMontréal.ca