Avianor Inaugurates Its A220 Center of Excellence. A Historic Milestone for Quebec’s Aerospace Sector

Press Release

Mirabel, November 21, 2024 – Avianor, an affiliate company of DRAKKAR, and industry leader with nearly 30 years of aerospace experience in commercial and defence aircraft maintenance and interior solutions, proudly announces the official inauguration of its new state-of-the-art hangar at the Montreal-Mirabel International Airport (YMX) which hosts its A220 Center of Excellence.

First announced at Le Bourget – the Paris Air Show, in June 2023, the hangar for the A220 Center of Excellence broke ground in the fall of the same year. Construction was completed within one year, with today’s official inauguration marking this significant milestone.

The A220 Center of Excellence represents a $70 million investment in advanced infrastructure, digitization, premium-grade equipment and cutting-edge technology. This includes $9 million in funding from the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE), as well as a repayable contribution of $7.6 million from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), provided under the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI).

Spanning 105,000 square feet, the hangar adds four maintenance lines dedicated to the A220 aircraft, with the capacity to support other narrow-body aircraft. With this expansion, Avianor now operates up to seven maintenance lines, significantly increasing its capacity for specialized services such as new aircraft entry into service.

The hangar was designed to enhance efficiency and precision in aircraft maintenance. Key features include SafeSpill’s advanced fire protection technology, to ensure operational safety, energy-efficient LED lighting for sustainable and well-illuminated workspaces, heat pumps for environmentally friendly climate control and mega doors to facilitate aircraft entry and exit. It also includes a dedicated detailed paint shop and sandblasting room for exterior and interior refinishing. An advanced access shaft further enhances precision and efficiency in maintenance operations reinforcing Avianor’s commitment to delivering industry-leading solutions.

“The A220 Center of Excellence represents a decisive and transformative step for Avianor, our partners, and the broader aerospace community. By creating more than 100 highly specialized jobs, we are empowering workers with opportunities to develop cutting-edge expertise. This facility exemplifies our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, ensuring we remain leaders in aircraft maintenance and interior solutions.” Hugo Brouillard – Chief Operating Officer & President of Affiliates of DRAKKAR, including Avianor.

“The establishment of the Avianor A220 Center of Excellence at YMX demonstrates the incredible outcomes we can achieve through teamwork and a shared vision. I am immensely proud of our team’s hard work and passion, as well as the outstanding collaboration with our partners and stakeholders. At the very start of the process, we were fortunate to have the precious trust of key customers, which set the foundation for this success. As we celebrate this milestone, Avianor reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of aviation and driving new industry standards, sending a strong message to airline operators worldwide.” Benoit Hudon, President & CEO of DRAKKAR

“I’m proud to celebrate the inauguration of Avianor’s Centre of Excellence for A220 airframe heavy maintenance, located right in the heart of the riding of Mirabel. With our government’s $9-million investment to acquire strategic equipment, this project means the creation of 132 high-quality, well-paid jobs, right here in our region. It’s a source of great pride to see our territory contributing to Québec’s economic vitality and raising the profile of its aerospace industry.” Lucie Lecours, Member for Les Plaines, on behalf of Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region

“Our aerospace industry is a key driver of the economy and innovation in Canada. Our
government will always be a faithful ally to this industry. This contribution for Avianor to create the A220 Center of Excellence in Mirabel will strengthen the regional economy. This assistance is key to help the business meet the rapidly growing demand and remain competitive internationally. Thanks to Quebec’s expertise and everyone’s collaboration, the success and spin-offs of this project will be felt across Quebec and Canada.” The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED

"The inauguration of the A220 Center of Excellence marks a significant milestone in the history of YMX Montréal-Mirabel International Airport and a pivotal step for Quebec’s entire aerospace ecosystem. ADM is extremely proud to host this center, which is creating over a hundred highquality jobs and showcasing unique local expertise on an international scale. Thank you to our valued partner Avianor for helping position our Aerocity as a key player in the industry and for contributing to its remarkable momentum.” Yves Beauchamp, President and CEO, ADM Aéroports de Montréal

Read the presse release: Click here

Featured from left to right: Sylvain Choinière Hugo Brouillard, Benoit Hudon Patrick Charbonneau, Lucie Lecours, Jean-Frédéric Lafaille