Bombardier technicians work inside a Learjet 40 XR aircraft on the production line in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Bombardier Aerospace was founded in Belfast in November 1908. --Bloomberg

TORONTO—Bombardier Inc. said it has taken over responsibility for the design and manufacturing of the structure of its Learjet 85 business aircraft after its partner Grob Aerospace AG encountered financial difficulties.

     Bombardier terminated its agreement with the Swiss company effective Wednesday last week “given the uncertainty surrounding Grob’s insolvency,’’ the Montreal-based company said in a statement over the weekend.

     Grob’s German unit Grob Aerospace GmbH filed for insolvency on August 18 because of delays and cost overruns on the development of its light jet, according to a release on the company’s web site. Grob built composite materials for the Learjet’s fuselage, nose and wings.

     “We’re making sure we’ll meet our customer commitments’’ in terms of first flight and delivery of the eight-seat Learjet 85, said Leo Knaapen, a spokesman for Bombardier’s business jet division. He declined to say whether this would actually delay manufacturing of the aircraft.

     The Learjet 85 is scheduled to enter service in 2012 for customers of its Flexjet fractional ownership business and 2013 for regular customers.

     The aircraft components are to be built in Queretaro, Mexico, with final assembly done in Wichita, Kansas. Bombardier, which also makes Global and Challenger jets, will give more details on the Learjet 85 at the National Business Aviation Association conference beginning October 5 in Orlando, Florida. --Bloomberg

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