Transport Canada – Civil Aviation has certified Gulfstream G500 and G600 business jets in an apparent reaction to U.S. president Donald Trump’s threats to “decertification’ Canadian aircraft as well as the levelling of new tariffs of up to 50 percent on the importation of Canadian aircraft. Documentation of the certification was apparently dated February 15 but was not widely reported until February 20, initially by Reuters.
Gulfstream is in direct competition with Bombardier in the business jet market.
According to reports, at least six Canadian buyers of the G500 and G600 had been awaiting Canadian type certification in order to take delivery of them.
Two other Gulfstream models await Canadian certification – the G700 and G800. These two models are undergoing additional scrutiny related to their de-icing systems.
Canadian certification of foreign-made aircraft of this type typically takes less than two years, while the Gulfstream G500 and G600 have taken considerably longer, according to reports. No explanation for these delays has been offered.