Aviation – Richmond Economic Development

As the location of British Columbia’s first ever flight, Richmond is now home to Canada’s 2^nd busiest airport, the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Serving over 26 million passengers and over 300,000 tonnes of cargo annually, the airport is a major global link for both people and goods moving to and from Canada – as well as a catalyst for a strong local aviation sector.

Richmond companies cover the full sector spectrum, providing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, advanced aviation technology, aircraft parts distribution, satellite communications, component manufacturing and air logistics for goods export and import.

Augmenting a skilled workforce for the industry, the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Aerospace Technology Campus provides annual training to more than 1,000 students in all aspects of aircraft maintenance, engineering and flight training.

What’s New

WestJet-YVR COVID-19 Testing Study Launches

YVR Launches Industry Leading Health and Safety Campaign

Vancouver Airport Authority Receives AA- Credit Rating

Iskwew Air founder Teara Fraser recognized as real-world Wonder Woman

YVR named North America’s best airport for 11th year in a row

Vancouver Airport Authority Commits to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050

Harbour Air and magniX Announce Successful Flight of WOrld’s First Commercial Electric Airplane

Company Profiles

	McDonald Dettwiler & Associates Ltd (MDA) Well known for building the Canadarm for the U.S. Space Shuttle and International Space Station, MDA is one of Canada’s leading aerospace and information solutions providers with unique capabilities in earth observation and digital mapping. MDA was founded in 1969 and has over 4800 employees worldwide. In 2017 following multiple mergers and acquisitions the company became Maxar Technologies Ltd.
	Boeing Canada – Aeoinfo, with over 250 full-time employees, is named one of B.C.’s top employers. Boeing Canada – Aeroinfo provides advanced technical solutions to enable airlines to manage aircraft maintenance and increase operational efficiency. The company also provides eLearning, systems, and business advisory services to customers including Air Canada, CHC Helicopters, China Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. In 2016 Boeing opened its new Labs division in downtown Vancouver.
	Epic Data Develops and implements a broad range of software and hardware solutions for data collection and operations management which enable aerospace manufacturers to access real-time assessment of shop floor operations and optimize operations. Epic Data’s head office is in Richmond, with offices also located in the United States, the United Kingdom and China. In 2013 Epic Data became part of the Sylogist Group of Companies.
	Ebco Industries An ISO9001 certified contract manufacturer located in Richmond, British Columbia, with 240,000 sq. ft. of covered shop and office space, specializing in light precision machining & fabrication, precision sheet metal fabrication, heavy machining & fabrication, refurbishing, repair and assembly.
	MTU Maintenance Canada Ltd. Named one of BC’s Top Employers in 2018, MTU is the North American member of the largest provider of independent commercial engine services worldwide. It is authorized by transport authorities to inspect, repair, overhaul and test aircraft engines, modules and components. The Richmond-based subsidiary employs 395 people. It was founded in 1998 as a joint venture with Canadian Airlines (now Air Canada) and became a wholly owned affiliate of MTU Aero Engines in 2003. It was MTU’s first maintenance location abroad. In 2012 the company opened a new 35,000 square foot Accessory Repair Centre at YVR.
	Vector Aerospace – Helicopter Services Inc. An industry-leading, independent provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft operators around the globe. The Richmond operation offers a 158,000 square-foot maintenance repair & overhaul facility, providing full-service support for numerous models and series of engines, gearboxes and fuel accessories. In 2011 Vector Aerospace was acquired by Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) and the company has made multiple strategic acquisitions around the world since then.
	CHC Helicopter Corporation established its headquarters in Richmond in 2004. CHC Helicopter Corporation is the largest helicopter services company in the world and the world leader in helicopter search and rescue. The company employs more than 4,300 people in 30 countries. In 2017 the company underwent restructuring and moved its corporate headquarters to Dallas, Texas.
	Helijet International Inc. From a single helicopter and one route, Helijet has grown into a publicly traded company based in Richmond. With operations in Richmond, Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii, Helijet’s fleet of medium and large helicopters, as well as medically-equipped & corporate Learjet, is maintained, flown and administered by a dedicated crew of over 100 employees.
	Highland Helicopters Ltd. Providing helicopter services in Western and Northern Canada since 1959, now with a fleet of over 35 helicopters. Highland serves customers in resource-based industries, government, telecommunication providers and the motion picture industry. Highland pilots are trained at its dedicated flight training centre to be able to transport clients in and out of Canada’s most remote and rugged locations.
	Airbus Helicopters Canada Limited Airbus Helicopters Canada Limited is a subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter), the world’s largest and most respected designer/manufacturer of civil helicopters. It provides full customer service for over 700 Eurocopter helicopters in Canada, recently opening an 11,000 square foot customer service center in Richmond to ensure nationwide spares and technical support to its clients. Since 1999, one of every two helicopters in Canada have been delivered from the company’s facility in Fort Erie, Ontario.
	Pacific Coastal Airlines Pacific Coastal Airlines is a family run airline headquartered in Richmond at YVR, with over 275 employees, 13 bases across B.C. and a fleet of 26 aircraft, including 9 float planes. Pacific Coastal provides flights to and from the coastal and interior regions of B.C.
	Harbour Air Seaplanes With over 30 years in business and more than 50 aircraft, Harbour Air and Westcoast Air have become the largest all-seaplane company in the world. Services now include frequent flights connecting Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond, Sechelt, Comox and the Gulf Islands along with a wide selection of scenic adventure tours and private charters.
	Pelesys Learning Systems Inc is a training solutions provider to airlines and airline training organizations. All Pelesys products and training solutions are designed using AICC and SCORM guidelines and have been approved for use in accordance with all regulatory agencies including JAR-OPS, FAA, CAA, CAAC, GCAA, and Transport Canada. In 2018 CAE acquired a minority stage in Pelesys.
	Iskwew Air (ISS-KWAY-YO) is a reliable, Indigenous-woman owned airline which provides 24-hour charter services to communities around the province of British Columbia. Iskwew is based out of YVR and operates a twin engine PA31 Piper Navajo Chieftain called the Sweetgrass Warrior.

Search our Business Directory for a complete listing of all companies involved in Richmond’s aviation sector.

Workforce

Career opportunities in Richmond’s aerospace & aviation sector are varied and range from aircraft maintenance, component manufacturing, systems design, flight operations and airport administration. Local education programs, primarily those offered through the BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus, ensure that the local workforce is equipped with the skills necessary to continue to sustain and grow this sector. Research organizations are also readily available to connect industry with academia and applied research, allowing companies to use innovations to improve their processes or products and remain globally competitive.

Research

Incentives

Government programs and incentives help aviation companies with production, marketing, exporting, innovation and financing. Here are some of the most popular programs.

Tax Credit for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) provides incentives for Canadian companies that conduct Research & Development in Canada, through tax credits of up to 35% for experimental development, applied research, basic scientific research and certain types of technical support work.

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) assists firms to develop, adopt and adapt technologies and incorporate them into competitive products and services to be commercialized in the global marketplace. IRAP provides advisory services and funding to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) undertake innovation projects.

Strategic Innovation Fund aerospace and defence (A&D) industries with repayable contributions for strategic R&D projects. Contributions to SADI projects will equal approximately 30 percent of a project’s total eligible costs.

International Skilled Workers offers accelerated immigration for qualified skilled workers, experienced entrepreneurs and their family members who want to settle in B.C. and become permanent residents of Canada.

Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) helps companies bridge the pre-commercialization gap for their innovative goods and services within the federal government before taking them to market. Companies in the last stages of research and development are integrated into the Government of Canada’s procurement system and provided with testing, feedback and an opportunity to enter the marketplace with a successful application of their new goods or services.

Use our Funding Portal to search a database of all grants, loans and financing available to Aviation companies.

Industry Networks

Featured Industry Partner:
BC Aviation Council

With over 200 individual and corporate members, the BCAC represents almost all major aviation companies in the province. Also provides access to the most current aviation industry job openings and career opportunities.

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