Construction is officially underway on De Havilland Field, a major aerospace manufacturing and aviation hub in Wheatland County, Alberta, marking one of the largest investments in Canada’s aerospace infrastructure in decades.
Developed by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, the purpose-built campus will span approximately 1,559 acres of farmland located west of Strathmore and about 30 minutes east of Calgary. The site will become the company’s new headquarters and primary production centre, designed to consolidate manufacturing, logistics and aircraft support operations in a single location.
The company officially broke ground on the project in May, launching a long-term development that will be completed in three phases.
De Havilland describes the site as a true greenfield development that will provide the space and flexibility needed to drive the next generation of aerospace innovation while significantly expanding Canada’s ability to design, manufacture and support aircraft domestically.
The first phase will focus on meeting the company’s immediate production requirements. It will have facilities for aircraft parts manufacturing, aerostructures production and a global distribution and logistics hub to serve customers across the globe.
Future phases will dramatically expand the site’s capabilities by adding final aircraft assembly lines, testing and certification facilities, and a dedicated runway, allowing completed aircraft to take off directly from the campus.
Once fully developed, De Havilland envisions the site as a fully integrated aerospace ecosystem where manufacturing, engineering, logistics, maintenance, customer support and innovation operate together.
Project documents submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) show that the southern portion of the property will accommodate an aerodrome, while commercial and industrial facilities will occupy the northern and eastern sections. The campus will also include corporate offices, maintenance and repair operations, customer support services, logistics infrastructure and facilities for aircraft delivery.
The company chose the location for its access to a skilled and growing workforce, low cost of living, direct access to Highway 1, proximity to Calgary International Airport and land already designated for commercial and industrial development.
De Havilland Field’s first building is expected to open in spring 2028.
The new facility is needed to meet increasing global demand for De Havilland’s three flagship aircraft programs: the DHC-515 Firefighter, DHC-6 Twin Otter and Dash 8, according to the IAAC filing.
The development will also play a central role in fulfilling the company’s $1.6 billion contract to manufacture 24 DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft for six European Union countries, while positioning De Havilland to pursue additional firefighting aircraft orders from Canadian provinces and international customers.
By bringing production of all three aircraft families together, the company will centralize manufacturing, maintenance, logistics and customer support operations, improving efficiency across its business.
The project is also expected to generate significant economic benefits. During construction and after completion, thousands of jobs will be created across the trades, engineering, manufacturing and aviation sectors.
The Government of Alberta estimates the completed campus will support approximately 3,000 permanent operational jobs, while attracting suppliers, aerospace manufacturers and technology companies to the surrounding region.
De Havilland believes the investment will help establish a broader aerospace ecosystem in Alberta, encouraging additional businesses to locate nearby, strengthening Canada’s domestic aerospace supply chain and generating long-term economic growth.
CEO Brian Chafe said the project represents much more than a new manufacturing facility.
“It is about building sovereign capability in Canadian aerospace, manufacturing, service support, and training. The potential of De Havilland Field is massive.”
Chafe also noted that De Havilland is entirely Canadian-owned and relies on an 80% Canadian-based supply chain, adding that continued government support for domestic aerospace manufacturing could unlock even greater opportunities.
The development also aligns with the federal government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, reinforcing Canada’s sovereign aerospace capabilities while reducing reliance on foreign manufacturing.
With more than 5,000 aircraft delivered worldwide, De Havilland continues to serve operators across a wide range of specialized missions, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation and surveillance, further positioning De Havilland Field as a strategic investment in Canada’s future aerospace industry.
