The establishment of this engineering services office allows Bombardier to take advantage of local expertise in an aviation market that is becoming increasingly important. The engineering service office in Bangalore provides support to Bombardier’s aircraft programmes and will eventually staff 50 highly-skilled engineers.
Bombardier has established collaborative agreements with two Indian companies: Mahindra Satyam has 410 engineers supporting the engineering function on aerospace projects ranging from stress analysis to detailed design; and Capgemini currently dedicates 280 employees to Bombardier's technical publications.
In the short time it has had operations in India, Bombardier has quickly grown its operations there. Staff numbers have increased both at the engineering centre and the regional support office in Mumbai, created to assist operators of its business and commercial aircraft.
Three years ago, a committee of 12 employees from the Bombardier support team at Mahindra Satyam began looking for ways to see how the company could support the community further. At the government school in nearby Konappana Agrahara, the team has helped build a computer room, sponsored free dental and medical camps for students and community members, provided school supplies and equipment and shoes to all primary grade students. The committee has also set up a scholarship programme and financed the building of a laboratory at the Composite Girls' School in Mallaswaram, near Bangalore. This lab will enhance science classes by providing concrete experience opportunities to the students.
Bombardier is also helping India’s communities through its customers. In 2010, Bombardier announced an order for 15 Q400 NextGen turboprops to India’s SpiceJet, with options for 15 more. The low-fare carrier will use the aircraft to serve cities and industrial towns that have been traditionally underserved by larger jets thereby connecting communities that have been less accessible in the past. SpiceJet hopes to eventually serve up to 60 airports with the Q400 aircraft.