The business jet manufacturer shows its commitment to the region with a new lounge at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
As a company with an entrepreneurial spirit and a rich heritage of driving innovation, Bombardier has much in common with the values of the Principality of Monaco. The business jet manufacturer, which has been behind many of aviation’s most pioneering feats, is widely considered to build some of the best high-performance aircraft in the world. Bombardier has supplied private jets to some of the most discerning owners across the globe—and many locally—but until recently, it didn’t have a physical presence in the region.
In May, the Canadian company strengthened its commitment to its local clients by unveiling its first official space in Monaco in an event inaugurated by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. Set at the Yacht Club de Monaco, the “Aviator Lounge” aims to merge the sea, land and sky, creating a meeting space for aviation enthusiasts.
“It might seem a bit surprising for an aviation company to anchor itself at the Yacht Club, but at Bombardier, we like to do things differently,” says Emmanuel Bornand, vice president of international sales, Bombardier. “We have always dreamed of having a space here that celebrates aviation and our company’s decades-long commitment to innovation, uncompromising performance, and our research aimed at developing more sustainable ways to fly. Aviator Lounge complements our already-strong presence here and is a beautiful new home for Bombardier in the region.”
Celebrating Heritage
The space, which opened in May, was designed by esteemed architect Andrea Mosca to be more than a sales office. “It is a tribute to aviation in general, and to Bombardier’s decades-long legacy of innovation that resulted in the uncompromising performance of our aircraft,” Bornand says.
Throughout the bespoke design, Mosca gave nods to some of the company’s important historic and modern innovations. A desk in the shape of a wing, for example, celebrates engineering marvels such as the winglet, first used on Learjet aircraft, and Bombardier’s distinctive flexible wing that makes flights particularly smooth. Art also takes on an aviation twist—the blisk fan of a Global 7500 engine hangs from the ceiling, while a model of the manufacturer’s new EcoJet stands like a sculpture.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the stunning photographs of Bombardier’s jets and people by the famed French photographer Guillaume Plisson.
“The Lounge was designed as a space for exchanges and discussions,” Bornand adds. “Authentic, family-like relationships are at the very core of everything we do at Bombardier, so having a space where we can take the time to meet and greet aircraft owners here is extremely important and a key reason why we wanted to open this space.”
Innovation in Sustainability
The space is also being used to showcase Bombardier’s research into more sustainable ways to fly—the next big challenge for aviation. “We are immensely proud of our continued hard work and achievements on the sustainability front,” Bornand says. “Through our EcoJet research platform, we are testing how a different, entirely new aircraft shape, combined with advanced technologies, propulsion systems and sustainable fuel, can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50 percent.”
“We see here a like-minded community that is actively promoting and supporting sustainability initiatives, which blends very well with our research into tangible ways to reduce the environmental impact of our aircraft and aviation in general,” he adds. Offering further commitment to the Principality and its shared values, Bombardier will continue to support sustainability-focused initiatives including the Monaco Sustainable & Smart Marina and the YCM Explorer Awards La Belle Classe Superyachts.
Pick up the new issue of Robb Report Monaco & Cote d’Azur for further insights and to read the full interview
