De Havilland Canada Breaks Ground on De Havilland Field, Marking a New Era for Canadian Aerospace
Press Release
Wheatland County, Alberta (May 15, 2026) — De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (“De Havilland Canada”) today celebrated the official groundbreaking of De Havilland Field, a transformative aerospace hub in the heart of Wheatland County, Alberta. The milestone marks a significant step forward in building Canada’s aerospace manufacturing capacity while strengthening economic growth, employment, and sovereign aerospace capability as outlined in the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together leaders from De Havilland Canada alongside representatives from the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and Wheatland County. The event also featured the arrival of multiple De Havilland Canada aircraft, underscoring the company’s legacy and future in Canadian aviation.
“Today’s groundbreaking is about far more than a new facility — it is about building sovereign capability in Canadian aerospace, manufacturing, service support, and training,” said Brian Chafe, Chief Executive Officer, De Havilland Canada. “The potential of De Havilland Field is massive. We are 100% Canadian owned, with an 80% Canadian-based supply chain. If the government follows through on its commitments to buy Canadian, and to support and build sovereign capabilities, the possibilities of De Havilland Field are unparalleled. De Havilland is truly Canada’s aerospace company, and we are proud to be building in Alberta, with a company and supply chain across the country that will support a world-class aerospace hub for generations to come.”
De Havilland Field will serve as the company’s home and create a purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus designed to support aircraft parts manufacturing, distribution and support for our customers and their fleets. The development represents one of the most significant investments in Canadian aerospace infrastructure in decades.
Watch the brand new De Havilland Field video, debuted at today’s groundbreaking event here.
A Catalyst for Jobs and Economic Growth
The De Havilland Field project is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for Alberta and Canada as a whole. The development will create thousands of high-quality jobs across skilled trades, engineering, manufacturing, and aviation services, both during construction and throughout ongoing operations.
As De Havilland Canada continues to grow, the company is actively expanding its workforce and building long-term career opportunities for Canadians. De Havilland Field will anchor a thriving aerospace ecosystem, attracting suppliers, partners, and innovators to the region and creating sustained economic activity for decades to come.
Anchoring Aerospace Jobs Across Canada
The groundbreaking of De Havilland Field reflects a broader commitment to restoring and strengthening Canada’s aerospace industry. By investing in domestic manufacturing and infrastructure, De Havilland Canada is bringing critical aerospace jobs and expertise back to Canada, ensuring that Canadian aircraft are designed, built, and supported by Canadian workers.
Located in Alberta, De Havilland Field will establish the province as a new centre of excellence in aerospace manufacturing. This strategic investment diversifies the regional economy while positioning Canada as a global leader in specialized aircraft production.
About De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) is a cornerstone of Canadian aerospace innovation, proudly designing, building, and supporting aircraft in Canada for the global market. Every aircraft we produce creates high-value jobs, strengthens our national aerospace industry, and contributes to a resilient and growing economy.
Built in Canada. Made for the world.
With a fleet of more than 5,000 aircraft delivered to operators worldwide, De Havilland Canada has earned a global reputation for rugged, reliable performance and exceptional customer support. Our aircraft connect people and places—from the most remote communities to the busiest regional hubs—carrying millions of passengers and critical cargo every year.
Built to operate in the toughest environments, De Havilland Canada aircraft are trusted for a wide range of missions, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance, and more. Our near-century-long legacy is driven by a passionate Canadian workforce dedicated to shaping the future of regional and missionized aviation.
Discover more at: www.dehavilland.com
Noah Note: Im not gonna bag on Dehavilland here. This is a monumental moment for them, and one that will make or break them in my mind. I wamt Dehavvy to be successful. I wamt them to be a player in the scene. They have immense potential to do more than what they are.
It has been a rough, delayed start. I have mentioned my own wishes many times when it comes to them. However, I won't go into that on a post like this. Congratulations Dehavilland. It's up to you to grab that brass ring.
Whoo! Best wishes! Wish they gave some firm dates for any of the facilities getting online. I get it though, they had ambitious goals a number years ago, but stating firm dates can backfire when things don't go as planned. I hope politicians in Alberta are doing everything they can to make sure this happens. If they put a quarter as much effort into aerospace as they do into oil and gas, I'd feel better about where Alberta is heading economically...