INDIAN Consul General Manish recently visited Abbotsford-based aviation sector companies. He took a tour of various facilities along with MLA Bruce Banman, who facilitated the tour of the airport and three other aviation sector companies, which included Conair Aerial Firefighting, Chinook Helicopters and Cascade Aerospace.
The tour began with visit to Abbotsford International Airport, where he met with Param Sidhu, Airport General Manager. Manish briefed him on the growth shown in the Indian aviation sector and opportunities available in India. During the last year, Abbotsford airport received almost 1 million passengers and has targeted to reach 1.2 million passengers during the current year.
Manish visited the office of Chinook Helicopters and was received by Cathy Press, CEO. He took a tour of the training facility. The company provides basic and specialized advanced flight and ground training on both airplanes and helicopters. They also receive students from India. Press briefed Manish about their various training courses and opportunities for training of Indian students in the field of aircraft and helicopter flying.
The Consul General also visited the office of Cascade Aerospace and met with Executive VP and COO Kevin Lemke. He took the tour of the facility and was briefed on the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities of the company. The company specializes in MRO of civilian and military aircraft. It is also Canada’s longest-serving Design Approval Organization. Manish briefed Lemke about opportunities available in the aviation sector in India and suggested the company explore India as one of their overseas destinations for MRO services.
The Consul General visited the facility of Conair Aerial Firefighting as well. He was welcomed by Shane Sullivan, VP Operations. He took a tour of facility and was briefed about the various aircrafts and their capabilities and usages in firefighting. He also visited the simulation and training center. The company also provides training of pilots in firefighting operations and maintenance and overhaul of aircrafts for firefighting.
