Charlotte Bailey joined AIN’s editorial team in 2025 as a news reporter covering multiple topics including business aviation, new technology and the defense sector. She is also a frequent presenter in AIN’s video news reports. 
UK-based Charlotte has a strong interest in vintage military jets and in 2023 published a book about the de Havilland Vampire, as well as serving as a consultant on the topic for TV and movie projects. She is keen to expand her flying experience and enjoys hands-on assignments worldwide. In 2024, Charlotte was honored as Best New Journalist in the Aerospace Media Awards. Early in her career, Charlotte was involved in manufacturing customized hot air balloons.

News Reporter 

Charlotte Bailey

Bombardier manufactures a variety of business aircraft models, provides engineering, and aircraft maintenance services.

Bombardier is searching for a location in Canada to perform various modifications to its portfolio of special-mission Global 6500s. This provisional second site builds on elevated demand for its defense offerings amid a “strong and sustained…growing pipeline of opportunities,” according to the company.&nbsp;
During Bombardier’s recent second-quarter 2026 earnings call, CEO Éric Martel confirmed the company has a “strong desire” to replicate the defense-specific conversion work currently undertaken at its Wichita facility. “We’re looking at establishing ourselves somewhere in Canada,” he explained, adding that a Bombardier team is already visiting potential sites.
While this “mirror operation” would encompass modification work across a variety of special-mission airframes, discussions are ongoing with Sweden’s Saab, producer of the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&amp;C) aircraft. “It makes a lot of sense. We build the plane; we know the plane more than anyone else to make structural modifications, provision, and potentially even installation of some of that equipment,” Martel said. “We are very active on this right now.”
GlobalEye’s main structural modifications and mission systems installations are currently carried out at Saab’s facilities in Linköping, Sweden.
Notably, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2026-05-27/canada-choses-saab-bombardier-globaleye-aewc-platform">Canada</a> and <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2026-07-07/nato-order-ten-saab-globaleye-aewcs">NATO</a>’s recent downselection of the type—alongside an additional <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-07-28/1-bn-globaleye-deal-middle-eastern-operator">Middle Eastern</a> order—could represent up to 18 total GlobalEye units, demand that Martel said is a “significant validation” of the platform’s unique capabilities. While subsequent firm contracts “will translate, probably not even this year, but probably later next year or maybe even the year after, into real backlog,” Martel affirmed that Bombardier is nevertheless committed “to set [itself] up for a higher volume over the long term.”
With the makeup of Canada’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2026-02-04/saab-advocating-mixed-canadian-fleet-gripen-production-set-scale">future fighter fleet</a> still undecided, Martel also suggested that Bombardier could leverage further in-country manufacturing synergies with Saab on the production of its Gripen jets. However, while Bombardier would be available to help if required, “for us, doing assembly is not of great interest,” he explained. Nevertheless, “if there is part of that [major structural assembly] and we’re the only one capable of doing it in the country…we could definitely support them,” he concluded.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Bombardier Eyes Canadian Special-mission Business Jet Modification Site

Additional AEW&C conversion facility follows strong worldwide interest in GlobalEye

Bombardier is searching for a site in Canada to perform various modifications to its portfolio of Global 6500 special-mission aircraft, including GlobalEye.

Bombardier Eyes Canadian Defense Modification Site

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

Kerry Lynch

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

Executives share their experience with system

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

In this article

Bombardier

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Summit Highlights St. Louis Aero MRO and Manufacturing

Panel participants included Boeing, Gulfstream Aerospace, and West Star Aviation

Building Interiors at Yingling Aviation

What began 22 years ago as a Caravan project is now a busy multimillion-dollar business

Stevens Aerospace Joins Epic Aircraft Service Network

MRO services for E1000 turboprops available at company’s Denver location

Duncan Adds Gogo 5G to Company Citation Excel

Executives share their experience with system

Australian Regulator Approves Textron Service Centers

Textron operates service centers in Melbourne, Perth, and Gold Coast

C&L Aerospace Tapped for Challenger Flutter Damper Mx

The company was selected by OEM Héroux-Devtek

Avcon Delivers Aerial Weapon in Florida Mosquito Fight

The Kansas-based company specializes in modifying airframes

Duncan Aviation Authorized for Honeywell APU Repairs

MRO’s Lincoln facility expects to bring work online in early 2027

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