With the recent merger of the Boeing and McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Companies, Bombardier Aerospace has become the third largest civil aircraft manufacturer in the world. Bombardier Inc.'s participation in aerospace began with the corporation's acquisition of Canadair Limited in December 1986. Canadair, the largest diversified manufacturer in the Canadian aerospace industry, has built more than 4,400 civil and military aircraft since beginning operations in 1944.

Bombardier's second aerospace acquisition came in October 1989 and involved Short Brothers (PLC) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, the oldest established aircraft manufacturer in the world.

Learjet of Wichita, Kansas, a pioneer in the business jet industry, formally joined the Bombardier aerospace family in mid-June 1990.

de Havilland Canada became Bombardier's most recent aerospace acquisition in March 1992 when Bombardier acquired 51 per cent of the company's shares from the Boeing Aircraft Co. Bombardier became sole owner of de Havilland in January 1997. An established leader in the regional airline industry, de Havilland has delivered more than 7,400 Twin Otter, Dash 7 and Dash 8 turboprop aircraft.

Together, the four leading aircraft manufacturers acquired by Bombardier between 1986 and 1997 cumulate over 250 years of history and close to 14 000 aircraft delivered.

• Commercial aircraft
• Business jet
• Regional aircraft
• Amphibious aircrafts