Bombardier has announced that it will end production of the iconic Learjet business jet after a production run that has lasted nearly sixty years. The last Learjet will be produced this year, while the first Learjet 23 was flown in 1963. This marks yet another milestone in the consolidation of Bombardier Aerospace, as it has sold off its C-Series, CRJ, CL-415 and Dash 8-lines in recent years. Due the decision to focus solely on the Global and Challenger-bizjets, Bombardier is set to axe another 1,600 jobs.

 

The move to end Learjet production does not come as a surprise, as Bombardier suffered from heavy competition and falling sales for years. Only the Learjet 70/75 line remains, as the Learjet 60 line was closed in 2012 and the Learjet 85 programme was discontinued in 2015. Bombardier has sold only 11 Learjets in 2020, compared to 59 Globals and 44 Challengers.

Photo by EBACE.