Alberta is a growing hub for aviation and aerospace, with several major investments for the industry underway. This includes the construction of De Havilland Field, a 1,500-acre aircraft manufacturing hub located in Wheatland County. A groundbreaking ceremony on May 15 officially marked the beginning of construction of De Havilland Field, a milestone in the campus’s development.
“The construction of De Havilland Field is a historic stamp of confidence in Alberta. This investment, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, shows companies see long-term success by doing business here. Our government is incredibly grateful for the partnership of De Havilland Canada and the work they have done to create jobs, opportunity and success for people who call our province home. We are proud to witness this next chapter for De Havilland Canada happening right here in Alberta.”
“Today’s groundbreaking is about far more than a new facility – it is about building sovereign capability in Canadian aerospace, manufacturing, service support and training. De Havilland is truly Canada’s aerospace company, and we are proud to be building in Alberta, with a company and supply chain across the country that will support a world-class aerospace hub for generations to come.”
Along with a major investment through De Havilland Field, the company relocated its headquarters to Alberta in 2023. This move demonstrates the confidence major companies have in Alberta and its business environment. The investment will construct a new, state-of-the-art aircraft assembly facility, runway, a parts manufacturing and distribution centre and a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre.
Once fully built, De Havilland Field will create an estimated 3,000 permanent jobs in skilled trades, engineering, manufacturing and aviation services. Construction-related jobs will also bring economic benefits to the province and families in the region.
With demand for reliable supply chains and domestic manufacturing, De Havilland Field is bringing aerospace jobs and expertise back to Canada, ensuring that Canadian aircraft are designed, built and supported by Canadian workers. The facility expands opportunities for Alberta to be a major player in supporting the federal government’s Defence Industrial Strategy through advanced manufacturing.
Alberta’s government recently announced its plan to purchase five Canadair DHC-515 water bombers from De Havilland Canada. This $400-million order is one of many to be fulfilled in Alberta at the new manufacturing hub and will ensure the province is equipped with the latest technology and increased capacity to tackle future wildfire threats.
“De Havilland Field is a landmark investment in Alberta's future. Having a world-class aircraft manufacturing facility right here in Wheatland County means the planes protecting our forests and communities will be built by Albertans, for Albertans. This facility will create good, skilled jobs and cement Alberta's place as a leader in aerospace manufacturing.”
“It is a historic day as we break ground on one of the biggest aviation projects Canada has ever seen. We are so fortunate to have that happening right here in Wheatland County. Welcoming De Havilland Field means jobs, economic growth and regional prosperity for generations to come. I’m excited to see this project unfold and watch the growth and benefit it brings to our constituency and to all of Alberta.”
Alberta is well-positioned to continue expanding its aviation and aerospace industry. With a young, talented workforce, access to land and resources and a business-friendly regulatory environment, companies like De Havilland Canada are seeing the value of investing in Alberta.
Quick facts
- De Havilland Field is located 11 kilometres west of Strathmore in Wheatland County.
- De Havilland Field will be the site of final assembly for the DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft, the DHC-6 Twin Otter as well as the Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Related news
- Built in Alberta to protect Albertans | alberta.ca
- De Havilland Canada Breaks Ground on De Havilland Field, Marking a New Era for Canadian Aerospace