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Bombardier to partner Airbus on C-Series jets Bombardier to partner Airbus on C-Series jets
(35 minutes later)
European aerospace firm Airbus is to take a majority stake in Bombardier's C-Series jet project.European aerospace firm Airbus is to take a majority stake in Bombardier's C-Series jet project.
The C-Series has faced a series of problems, most recently a trade dispute in the US that imposed a 300% import tariff on the plane. Bombardier has faced a series of problems over the plane, most recently a trade dispute in the US that imposed a 300% import tariff.
Bombardier's Northern Ireland's director Michael Ryan said the deal was "great news" for the Belfast operation.Bombardier's Northern Ireland's director Michael Ryan said the deal was "great news" for the Belfast operation.
About 1,000 jobs are linked to the C-Series, the wings of which are made at a purpose-built factory in Belfast. About 1,000 staff work on the C-Series at a purpose-built factory in Belfast, mostly making the plane's wings.
Airbus and Bombardier's chief executive said the deal - which will see Airbus buy a 50.01% stake - would help to boost sales.
BBC Northern Ireland's business and economics editor John Campbell said Airbus had effectively taken control of the C-Series project in a transformational deal.
He said it would use its financial muscle in procurement and sales, while Bombardier's manufacturing operations would continue to build the planes.
Importantly, Airbus has a major factory in the US, he said. "It thinks that by assembling the C-Series there, it will be able to sell them to US customers without facing tariffs."
'Positive step'
Bombardier was accused of anti-competitive practices by rival Boeing, which complained to the US authorities.Bombardier was accused of anti-competitive practices by rival Boeing, which complained to the US authorities.
Boeing accused the Canadian firm of selling the jets below cost price after taking state subsidies from Canada and the UK.Boeing accused the Canadian firm of selling the jets below cost price after taking state subsidies from Canada and the UK.
UK business Secretary Greg Clark said the Airbus tie-up was a "positive step forward". UK Business Secretary Greg Clark said the Airbus tie-up was a "positive step forward".
He said the UK and Canadian governments had been working to "safeguard jobs and manufacturing at Bombardier Shorts in Belfast, and the supply chain across the UK". Mr Clark said the UK and Canadian governments had been working to "safeguard jobs and manufacturing at Bombardier Shorts in Belfast, and the supply chain across the UK".
"We will continue to work closely with the companies to protect UK interests and with the Canadian government to ensure the unjustified case brought by Boeing is brought to a swift resolution," he added. The government was still pushing for a "swift resolution" to the Boeing dispute, he added.
Arlene Foster, leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, said she hoped the deal would "safeguard" the C-Series programme.
"I'm thrilled there is a bright future ahead following what has been a dark time for staff and management," she added.