A Canadian trade panel has rejected CAE's appeal over the award of a government contract worth up to C$270 million ($207 million) to Bombardier and L-3 Communications of New York to train Boeing CF-18 pilots for eight years. The panel did not say why it rejected the appeal, but says it may reveal the reason in a few weeks.
The panel agreed in May to review CAE's claim that the defence department decision was biased (Flight International, 18-24 May). Derek Burney, CAE's former chief executive, says its bid was C$44 million lower than Bombardier's and that Bombardier's bid falls short on Canadian content because L-3's Link division will supply the simulators that account for 60% of the total contract value.
The contract also included building training facilities at air bases in Alberta and Quebec.
CAE cut 300 jobs, mostly in Montreal, after it lost the contract, which it had held for several years.
Source: Flight International