Aircraft
Bombardier Shelves Plans for Russian-built Q400s
Beaudoin cites political, economic conditions as key influences
The Bombardier Q400 will remain exclusively Canadian made “for the time being.” (Photo: Bombardier)
The Bombardier Q400 will remain exclusively Canadian made “for the time being.” (Photo: Bombardier)

Bombardier has decided to set aside plans to collaborate with Russian industrial conglomerate Rostec to establish an assembly line near Moscow for the Q400 turboprop, the Canadian company’s CEO, Pierre Beaudoin, confirmed during its third-quarter earnings briefing on Thursday. Beaudoin attributed the decision to shelve the plans to the “political situation” stemming from Western sanctions leveled against the Kremlin for its involvement in Crimea and alleged support of Ukrainian separatists. Although he insisted that talks between Bombardier and Rostec continue, any agreement to establish a Q400 assembly line in Russia will have to wait until “conditions” improve.