Aircraft
Viking To Acquire Bombardier's Amphibious Aircraft Division
Known for restarting the Twin Otter production line, Viking Air will provide support for the 170 CL-415 and CL-215 water bombers in service.
Bombardier's water bombers (CL-415 shown) have been in production since 1967 and remain the only western aircraft purpose-built for firefighting. (Photo: Bombardier Aerospace)
Bombardier's water bombers (CL-415 shown) have been in production since 1967 and remain the only western aircraft purpose-built for firefighting. (Photo: Bombardier Aerospace)

British Columbia-based Viking Air has agreed to acquire Bombardier’s amphibious water bomber program (the turbine-powered CL-415 and CL-215T and the original piston-powered CL-215), the two companies announced yesterday. Once approved, the deal will transfer the type certificates for all variants of Bombardier amphibians to Viking, ending a chapter for the Montreal-based OEM that stretches back nearly a half-century. Bombardier built its last CL-415 last December before pausing the program.