Bombardier eyes Asian markets amid US trade dispute

Bombardier is betting on fast-growing markets like India to boost sales of its Q400 and CSeries narrow-body planes at a time when the Canadian planemaker faces a trade row over sales to the US that could affect thousands of jobs in Belfast.

“The company is very focused on expanding into Asia, as we see Asia, and India for sure, as the growth engines of the sector,” said Francois Cognard, head of Asia-Pacific sales, adding this would be its focus region irrespective of how a heated trade spat with larger rival Boeing pans out.

Mr Cognard said he saw India’s regional connectivity scheme as “well designed” and likely to boost demand for its aircraft in the country.