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    P&WC Establishes State-of-the-Art Aerospace Centre at Montreal-Mirabel International Airport

    Oct. 27, 2008
    Aerospace centre to open for the final assembly and test of the new generation PW800 family of engines.

    LONGUEUIL, Quebec – Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announces that it is establishing a world-class aerospace centre at Montréal-Mirabel International Airport for the final assembly and test of the new generation PW800 family of engines. P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company.

    A total of $575.3 million will be invested in the Mirabel Aerospace Centre and Pratt & Whitney Canada’s other Quebec facilities over the next five years. This investment is expected to generate 565 jobs.

    "The Government of Quebec’s decision to invest $141.9 million for infrastructure and equipment at Mirabel in support of P&WC’s overall investment reinforces its firm commitment to continued innovation and growth in the aerospace sector," says Alain M. Bellemare, president, P&WC, and executive vice president, Pratt & Whitney Group Strategy and Development. "I commend the Government of Quebec for its vision and leadership in propelling the high-value aerospace industry."

    At its new Mirabel Aerospace Centre, Pratt & Whitney Canada will conduct the final assembly and test of the PurePower PW810C, set to power the Cessna Citation Columbus large business jet. As announced in April 2008, the new facility will also be the global hub for Pratt & Whitney’s integrated flight test operations.

    "The Pratt & Whitney Canada Mirabel Aerospace Centre will ensure we have ample capacity to meet the anticipated strong demand for the PW800 engines for years to come while supporting our growing flight test operations needs," says Bellemare. "The fact that the Bombardier CSeries will also be assembled at Mirabel was a major factor in the decision to also perform final assembly and test of the PW1524G for the Bombardier CSeries at the new P&WC Mirabel Aerospace Centre."

    Construction is expected to start in the coming months on a 300,000-square-foot facility and will open in the fall of 2009. The P&WC Mirabel Aerospace Centre will include two bays for the company’s Boeing B747SP test aircraft to support flight testing for the complete range of Pratt & Whitney engines, from turboprops to turbofans.