Bombardier Completes Installation of Solar Panels at London Biggin Hill Service Centre to Power More of its Operations with Renewable Energy, Proactively Continues to Reduce its Environmental Footprint

Addition of solar panels at the facility builds on Bombardier’s industry leadership to promote sustainable practices and ongoing commitment to reduce the energy consumption at its worldwide service facilities
Installation of more than 3,000 solar panels at the nearly 250,000 sq. ft. London Biggin Hill facility to provide up to 32% of the service centre’s total energy demand from an on-site renewable source
New PV solar panel system will generate more than 1.133 million kWh, lowering annual carbon emissions by up to 252 tons

MONTRÉAL, July 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bombardier announced today that more than 3,000 solar panels have been installed on the roof of Bombardier’s London Biggin Hill Service Centre located at the London Biggin Hill Airport, underscoring its commitment to promote sustainable practices within the aviation industry and to reduce its energy consumption at its worldwide facilities.

The recently completed project was developed in collaboration with Zestec Renewable Energy, a funder, developer and asset manager of renewable solutions and part of the Octopus Energy group. The new PV solar panels will generate more than 1.133 million kWh, lowering the annual carbon emissions by up to 252 tons and providing up to 32% of the facility’s total energy demand from an on-site renewable source.

“At Bombardier, we are actively committed to ensuring that we are making aviation more sustainable and this includes the design and implementation of sustainability-related projects in our service facilities around the world,” said Paul Sislian, Executive Vice President, Aftermarket Service & Strategy. “This recent installation is aligned with our company’s objective to manufacture and service aircraft with the smallest possible environmental impact and demonstrates our company’s commitment to lead the way to a greener industry.”

Bombardier’s expanded London Biggin Hill Service Centre nears 250,000 square feet and provides customers with complete heavy maintenance capabilities. It is fully equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, modifications and avionics installations for Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft.

The addition of the solar panels at the London Biggin Hill Service Centre is just the latest example of Bombardier’s ongoing commitment to building and enhancing its service facilities through a sustainable lens. Another example is Bombardier’s Singapore Service Centre. Located at the growing Seletar Aerospace Park in Singapore, the 290,000 sq. ft. facility was built with sustainability at its core. The LEED Silver certified service centre includes new solar panel installations, electric vehicle charging and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) capability.

Bombardier’s sustainability commitment extends far beyond its worldwide service centre development. The company is actively seeking new environmentally conscious solutions and is committed to ensuring a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 relative to 2019 levels. Since 2023, Bombardier has also been covering the totality of its flight operations with a sustainable aviation fuel blend using a Book-and-Claim system and has become the only business jet OEM to publicly disclose the environmental impact of its entire product portfolio through the publication of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for all its in-production aircraft.

Finally, the company’s revolutionary EcoJet research project initiated over 15 years ago and currently exploring the blended-wing-body aircraft configuration targets to reduce business jets CO₂ emissions by up to 50% compared to the current aircraft generation through significant aerodynamics, propulsions and other enhancements.

About Bombardier

At Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s best-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and businesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding standards but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs.

For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it.

Bombardier customers operate a fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

For Information

For corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s Environmental, Social and Governance report, as well as the company’s plans to cover all its flight operations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the Book and Claim system visit bombardier.com.

Learn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier.

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Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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