Québec’s aerospace industry reaffirms its global leadership

Event draws nearly 2,300 aerospace professionals, Québec SME leaders and global prime contractors

Montréal, April 15, 2019 – Aéro Montréal, Québec’s aerospace cluster, today kicked off International Aerospace Week - Montréal 2019. Nearly 2,300 Canadian and international aerospace representatives as well as government officials will participate in this major event taking place from April 15 to 18, 2019, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. 

OPENING EVENT – Seminar on Defence and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The Seminar on Defence and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – which is taking place today (Monday) – will provide an overview of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s major procurement projects over the next few years, as well as breakthrough technology and cybersecurity issues. It will also present the latest trends in unmanned aerial vehicles.

 “Canadian defence markets represent a unique opportunity for Québec aerospace companies to diversify their activities and participate in the global innovation network, in addition to establishing technological and commercial partnerships with companies from abroad or elsewhere in Canada,” says Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation.

 

“For the first time this year, a component on unmanned aerial vehicles has been added to the event. This new and growing sector offers many opportunities for our companies,” adds Suzanne M. Benoît, President of Aéro Montréal. 

Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy and Innovation of Québec, will open International Aerospace Week. 

Also, Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Minister of National Defence, will deliver Monday’s keynote address. As part of his speech, Mr. Cormier will present the role the Canadian and Québec industry can play in carrying out the major acquisition programs of the Department of National Defence. Throughout the day, leaders in the defence sector will have the opportunity to attend numerous workshops and conferences.

International Aerospace Week – Montréal 2019

This major event features an extensive program including the Seminar on Defence and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, the Global Supply Chain Summit (held in a strategic partnership with the SCALE AI supercluster), and Aéromart Montréal. More than 80 speakers and aerospace leaders – including Airbus, Amazon, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, Bombardier, CAE, Centech, Google, NRC, Kuehne + Nagel, IVADO, IVADO Labs, L-3 MAS , Marinvent, Microsoft, Port of Montréal, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Stelia Aerospace and Technology M1 Composites – will take advantage of this unique forum to discuss future outlooks and industry issues, etc. 

“The aerospace industry is growing fast. Major aircraft manufacturers plan to double the global fleet of aircraft in the next 20 years,” says Ms. Benoît. “This strong long-term growth will benefit all players in the supply chain. Major OEMs and SMEs in the sector are working together to transition to Industry 4.0 and take the digital shift to take advantage of many business opportunities and accelerate the growth of our sector.” 

International Aerospace Week - Montréal 2019 is being held in collaboration with the National Research Council Canada and Norton Rose Fulbright. Airbus and Bombardier are this year’s Major Partners of the Seminar on Defence and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.