Air Canada partners with Manitoba Government to help establish centre of excellence for maintenance in Province

Air Canada has entered into an agreement with the Manitoba Government to help establish a Western Canada Centre of Excellence for certain aircraft maintenance activities in the Province. Under the agreement, Air Canada will bring to Manitoba three of its aviation suppliers and partners with unique expertise and capabilities. The Centre is expected to create 150 jobs starting in 2017 with the possibility of further expansion and job creation in the future. Under the agreement Air Canada will facilitate and support the establishment in Manitoba by three of its longstanding suppliers and partners:
Hope Aero Propeller & Components, one of Air Canada’s suppliers, which specializes in propellers, wheels, brakes and batteries;
Airbase Services, one of Air Canada’s suppliers, which specializes in aircraft interior equipment maintenance; and
Cargojet Airways, one of Air Canada’s cargo partners, to whom Air Canada has agreed to lease one of its Winnipeg hangars on favourable terms to enable it to establish its own maintenance activities. Start up for all three is expected to commence in 2017. Air Canada has also agreed to encourage bidding by Manitoba suppliers for other services, including components work on future aircraft to enter the airline’s fleet, subject to certification, price and quality considerations.