400 aircraft jobs for Belfast

A new £33m (€50m) aircraft building operation in Belfast is set to create nearly 400 jobs, it emerged today.

Canadian-owned manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace announced the investment in programmes to develop two new business jets.

The British government has agreed to put nearly £9m (€13.6m) towards the costs of the project, which will provide a huge boost to the Northern Ireland economy.

Barry Gardiner, the Enterprise Minister at Stormont, said the investment would help ensure Bombardier’s Belfast company remains a globally competitive centre of excellence for designing and manufacturing major aircraft parts.

He declared: “These programmes are immensely important not only for Bombardier in Northern Ireland, but also for the wider economy.

“In terms of salaries and wages alone Bombardier provides £135m (€204m) per year into the local economy from its employees.”