DORSET firm REIDsteel has begun work on a new aircraft hangar at London Biggin Hill Airport.

The development for Bombardier Aviation will be capable of housing 14 of its Global 7500 aircraft at any one time, marking a significant expansion of its service facilities at Biggin Hill.

REIDsteel is working with design and build specialist Civils Contracting Ltd on the aircraft service centre, which will include a hangar of nearly 250,000sqft including workshops and office space and a 650,000sqft apron area, car park and external works.

Christchurch-based REIDsteel is providing design, drawing, fabrication and construction services on the project, which is due to be finished in 2022.

REIDsteel project director Richard Hanson said: “From our early beginnings making hangars for the famous French airman Louis Bleriot, REIDsteel has worked with aviation pioneers. We are proud to support Bombardier and London Biggin Hill on this latest, exciting development with Civils Contracting Ltd.

“It highlights our ability to provide more than just the steel frame with design, fabrication and construction of essential parts of the building envelope, including cladding, curtain walling, decking and our own aircraft hangar doors.

“Civils has an exceptional reputation and hold values to match our own. We are delighted to be working with them once again.”

The new service centre will be REIDsteel’s 11th hangar at the airfield. It will use products sources from its preferred supplier British Steel, including 1,600 tonnes of steel and 300,000 sq ft of cladding.

Nick Weaver, Civils Project Director, said: “The development of this state-of-the-art service centre marks another phase in the impressive growth of both Bombardier and London Biggin Hill Airport.

“They are both icons of aviation, and we are delighted to support their commitment to providing customers with industry leading services.”