Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast has awarded contracts totalling over £5.5 million to a number of companies across the island of Ireland. The announcement was made today at the Farnborough International Airshow where Bombardier and some of the suppliers are participating.

Contracts for a number of aircraft programmes covering a two-year period have been signed with six existing Northern Ireland suppliers: John Huddleston Engineering, Greyabbey; Dontaur Engineering Ltd, Ballymena; J.W. Kane Precision Engineering Ltd, Portadown; Moyola Precision Engineering, Castledawson; Maydown Precision Engineering Ltd, Londonderry; and Nicholl Engineering Ltd, Newtownabbey.

All of the companies will be supplying components for Bombardier's new CRJ1000 NextGen regional jet, which is due to enter service in the last quarter of 2009. Maydown, Dontaur and J.W. Kane will also be providing components for the Q400 turboprop, whilst Moyola will be providing parts for the Challenger 605 business jet.

In addition, ÉireComposites, based in Co. Galway, Ireland, and Aerospace Industries, based in Dublin, Ireland, have been awarded contracts to supply parts for engine nacelles and hardware for other aircraft components respectively.

Commenting on the awarding of the contracts, Michael Ryan, Vice-President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast, said: "This represents another significant step in our ongoing commitment to encourage the development of a competitive supply base throughout Ireland.

"One of the reasons why these companies are winning business with us is because they are investing in new technology and actively seeking to move up the value chain to take on higher value added work. They are demonstrating their willingness to adapt to global aerospace business needs and ensuring they can be competitive. Given that Bombardier recently confirmed investment of some £70 million in aircraft programmes at our Belfast site, including the new CRJ1000 NextGen airliner, we are particularly pleased that we've been able to award work on this programme to some of our local suppliers."

Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast allocated work packages worth over £53 million during 2007 to suppliers across the island of Ireland.