Montreal-based Bombardier Inc. is gearing up to take advantage of the possibility of a new market after Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion announced Canada will lift some of its sanctions from Iran. Canada's largest aerospace company expects Iran to need 300 planes over the next decade.
Bloomberg Business reports that the ten-year economically isolated nation is now signing a major deal with one of Bombardier's major competitor, Airbus, for 100 Airbus jets.
Dion said: "If Airbus is able to do it, why would Bombardier not be able to do it? In which way (is it) helping Canada, or the Iranian people, or Israel, or anyone, that Canada is hurting its own industry?"
The Globe and Mail has reported that the Canadian carrier already made a pitch to Iran when the nation's airline company, Iran Air, announced it needs to buy at least 20 regional jets to upgrade its fleet. Iran Air chairman and managing director Farhad Parvaresh said the airline will add a 50 seater and 100 seater planes for regional flights, which will operate with Boeing Co. and Airbus Group SE planes. Bombardier on the other hand still needs approval from its own government to operate in Iran.
Dion further said "Canada will lift its sanctions but what Canada will maintain is our suspicion of a regime ... that must not return to (trying to obtain) nuclear weapons," as published on Reuters. Dion has acknowledged that Iran has poor relationship with Israel, which is a Canadian ally, that's why he said lifting sanctions will be carefully done to value allies and further prevent nuclear and military activities.
Marianella de la Barrera, the spokeswoman from Bombardier Inc., said Dion's comments are progressive but the company will respect whatever sanctions Canada will implement or lift. As of now, Barrera said they're monitoring the matter closely and nothing official yet has been communicated to them.
