Transport Canada has certified Bombardier’s latest business jet models as the leaned down company focuses on the last vestige of its once-broad aviation portfolio and the one that has been the most consistent moneymaker. The Global 5500 and Global 6500 are substantial remakes of the Global 5000 and 6000 models they replace and are aimed squarely at taking on rival Gulfstream for supremacy in the ultra long range, ultra luxury business aircraft market. Bombardier has already certified the Global 7500, the largest in the family and a direct competitor to Gulfstream’s flagship G650.
The new jets are similar in size to their predecessors but have new wings, cockpits, interior and fuel efficient engines. They sell for $46 million and $56 million USD respectively and address Gulfstream’s recent introduction of the G450 and G550. U.S. FAA and Europe’s EASA are expected to certify the aircraft shortly. Bombardier Aviation now builds only business jets, having shed all its commercial and utility aircraft business units over the past two years, except for retaining a 49 percent stake in the Airbus A220 airliner, previously known as the CSeries. Bombardier Aviation also owns Learjet, the Wichita-based manufacturer that makes small and medium-sized business aircraft.