How a legendary Canadian aviation brand survived corporate turbulence to reclaim its historic name
In short: Founded in 1928 to train pilots, de Havilland Canada has navigated decades of privatization, foreign ownership, and corporate restructuring. Today, the company has consolidated its heritage and modern programs under one banner, moving from its historic Toronto roots to a new, expansive manufacturing hub in Alberta.
The original de Havilland Aircraft of Canada was established in 1928 as a subsidiary of the British de Havilland firm, primarily to produce Moth aircraft for training Canadian airmen. Following the Second World War, the company pivoted toward indigenous designs specifically engineered for the rugged Canadian landscape. This era of innovation eventually gave way to significant corporate shifts; in 1986, the Canadian government privatized the entity, selling it to Boeing. Under Boeing, the company faced financial strain, accumulating losses exceeding 600 million US dollars over a five-year period before being sold to Bombardier Aerospace in 1992.
The brand's path to reunification began in 2006 when Viking Air, based in Victoria, British Columbia, acquired the type certificates for the original out-of-production de Havilland designs. This move allowed Viking to manufacture new aircraft and distribute parts for heritage models. The consolidation accelerated in 2018 and 2019, when Longview Aviation Capital purchased the Dash 8 program and the de Havilland trademark from Bombardier. This deal brought the entire product line under the newly formed De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, effectively reuniting the brand for the first time in over a decade.
In recent years, the company has focused on streamlining its operations. After departing its long-standing Downsview facility in Toronto in 2022, the manufacturer began developing De Havilland Field in Wheatland County, Alberta. This new site, which broke ground in May 2026, is designed to serve as the primary manufacturing hub for the company's current and future lineup, including the DHC-6 Twin Otter, the Dash 8, and the DHC-515 Firefighter. By centralizing production, the company aims to secure the future of these iconic aircraft while honoring its nearly century-long legacy.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: De Havilland Canada
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