Concordia brings its know-how to Quebec’s new aerospace innovation zone, Espace Aéro
A new investment in Quebec’s aerospace landscape will leverage Concordia’s expertise in engineering and sustainable development through cutting-edge research projects, collaborations with enterprises, and new educational programs tailored to the needs of the aerospace sector.
At the 2024 International Aerospace Innovation Forum on May 21, the Government of Quebec announced the establishment of a new aerospace innovation zone, Espace Aéro. It will be based at three hubs: Montreal (Saint-Laurent borough), Mirabel and Longueuil.
The flagship project of the Montreal (Saint-Laurent) hub is the establishment of a Collaborative Innovation Centre in Aerospace and Mobility (CCIAM), for which the Government of Quebec contributed $224,000 to carry out the business plan.
Christian Moreau: “The CCIAM is a foundational project for the entire Quebec aerospace ecosystem.”
“As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, Concordia is committed to playing a central role in promoting innovation, sustainability and excellence in this dynamic field,” says Concordia President Graham Carr. “Our partnership with Espace Aéro and the creation of the CCIAM will ensure that Quebec continues to build its profile as a global leader in this domain.”
Set to open doors in 2027, the CCIAM will take advantage of Canada’s greatest concentration of aerospace graduate students to build knowledge and applied research in the fields of decarbonization and automation.
Concordia has been at the heart of conceptualizing the CCIAM with Aéro Montréal and other partners. Leading the discussions for the university has been Christian Moreau, professor of mechanical, industrial and aerospace engineering at the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science.
“The CCIAM is a foundational project for the entire Quebec aerospace ecosystem, designed to serve and support the industry for the next 30 to 50 years,” says Moreau. “This initiative is set to transform how we innovate and collaborate, ensuring that Quebec remains at the forefront of aerospace development and sustainability.”
