Belfast aerospace company Shorts has announced its intention to invest over £100 million in the design and production of parts for two new Bombardier aircraft. The investment is expected to create up to 308 jobs at the plant and should safeguard a further 671 jobs over the next five years.

In February, Shorts disclosed details of contracts to design and build parts for a new Canadair regional jet, manufactured by its Canadian parent Bombardier and a de Havilland regional aircraft. It was confirmed yesterday that the Belfast company will design and manufacture the centre and forward fuselage and engine nacelles for the Canadair Regional Jet 700, and engine nacelles and wing components for the de Havilland Dash 8-400.

Shorts said that when full production rates were achieved, the extra work would more than replace the 900 jobs lost following the collapse of its long-standing customer, Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker, in March 1996. The collapse meant a 25 per cent loss in aero-structures business and a 17 per cent drop in turnover. The Industrial Development Board will contribute £19.5 million towards the total planned investment of £108.4 million.

Shorts employs a total of 6,200 people in the North, between its aerospace, missiles and Belfast City Airport operations. A further 2,800 people are employed in support services worldwide.