To celebrate the 100e Global 7500 aircraft in its history, Bombardier rolled out the red carpet yesterday for its millionaire client VistaJet, financed with millions of dollars by Export Development Canada (EDC).
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Yesterday afternoon, Bombardier invited the media and employees to celebrate “the historic delivery of the 100e Global 7500 aircraft” at its Laurent Beaudoin Completion Center in Dorval.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
For the occasion, the CEO of Bombardier, Éric Martel, and the founder and president of VistaJet, Thomas Flohr, entered the room walking a red carpet, to the cheers of the employees.
“We are extremely happy to have a client like VistaJet, which has been loyal to us for several years,” repeated Éric Martel in the press scrum, after speaking on stage in English with his big boss.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
To date, VistaJet, which has branches in several jurisdictions, has more than 80 Bombardier products. The Global 7500 exhibited yesterday is their tenth.
For the past two years, Export Development Canada (EDC) has financed the sale of Bombardier aircraft to VistaJet Group Holding Limited, the Crown corporation confirmed yesterday to Journal.
EDC, which does not provide grants, offers local businesses commercial loan, equity investment and insurance solutions.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Transactions in Malta
In two years, EDC has participated in four financing or refinancing transactions between Bombardier and VistaJet, in Malta, detailed EDC.
In October 2021, between $100 million and $200 million was used for the sale of aeronautical engines, components or spare parts, or related services.
At the end of February 2021, between $300 million and $400 million was paid for the sale of aircraft.
In 2020, two transactions took place five days apart, one between $400 million and $500 million for the sale of engines, components, aeronautical spare parts or related services, and another valued between $25 million and $50 million for the sale of aircraft.
Profitable device again
In addition, the CEO of Bombardier, Éric Martel, said yesterday that the Quebec aircraft manufacturer has been making profits since last year with its Global 7500s.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
“The quality of the product speaks for itself,” said VistaJet President Thomas Flohr about the Quebec planes.
In the room, Bombardier employees interviewed by The newspaper said they were proud to be able to work on such a prestigious aircraft.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Emin Mesbakh, a pre-flight mechanic for four years, said he was privileged to have been able to participate in the manufacture of the luxury plane.
“It’s the Ferrari of the aviation world. It is a privilege. It brings euphoria,” the 27-year-old concluded, looking at the device.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
Age : 62 years old
Native country : Suisse
Main achievement: Founder and President of VistaJet, a company that leases business jets by the hour that he owns
Net worth in March 2018: 2,3 milliards $ US
Current wealth: 200 millions $ US
–With the collaboration of Philippe Langlois