Bombardier still No. 2 business jet maker, but rival Gulfstream pulls farther ahead

A Challenger jet is seen at Bombardier's manufacturing facilities in Dorval, Que., on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

MONTREAL — Bombardier Inc. held on to its position as the world’s second-largest business jet manufacturer by value in 2025, despite falling one plane short of rival Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., a new report shows.

The Montreal-based maker of luxury planes delivered 157 aircraft valued at a total of US$7.94 billion last year, according to an annual study by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

The result topped the 146 jets valued at US$7 billion that Bombardier churned out in 2024, and easily met its target of more than 150 — part of a global rise in business jet production.

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However, Gulfstream recorded a more than 20 per cent jump in billings to US$10.01 billion, widening its sales lead by value over Bombardier while also delivering one more plane with 158.

The figure marks the first time since 2020 that Gulfstream has surpassed Bombardier’s jet output. The Canadian luxury plane maker has failed to rake in more money than its Savannah, Ga.-based competitor since 2012.

The report comes after the two companies found themselves at the centre of Donald Trump’s latest broadside against Canadian industry when the U.S. president complained that Canada had failed to certify Gulfstream planes and threatened to tariff aircraft built north of the border.

In a Truth Social post on Jan. 29, Trump singled out Bombardier in a threat to ground Canadian-made aircraft and slap them with a 50 per cent duty unless four Gulfstream jets were approved, marking another escalation of trade tensions between the neighbouring nations.

On Monday, federal regulators gave the thumbs-up to Gulfstream G700 and G800 business jets, according to a Transport Canada document, eight days after green-lighting two older Gulfstream models, the G500 and G600.

The move allows the jets to be sold in Canada and opens a new commercial door for the plane maker, a major Bombardier competitor.

Globally, total industry shipments of business jets rose 12 per cent to 854 units last year, the study found.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2026.