The Governing Council approves this instrument, which provides for a public-private investment of 572 million euros

The Governing Council of Junta de Andalucía has approved the Andalusian Aerospace Strategy 2027, an instrument for planning, executing and evaluating public actions to support this economic sector, seriously affected by the crisis derived from Covid-19. Said strategy, promoted by the Regional Ministry of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge and Universities, will be financed with both public and private funds. The objective is an investment of 572 million euros, of which 293 million will be public funds and 279 will be private contributions.

The Andalusian Aerospace Strategy was born from the will of the Andalusian Government to provide this industry, the engine of economic growth and competitiveness, with a comprehensive planning instrument due to its strategic nature and its ability to promote conversion towards a new production model based on innovation and knowledge.

The strategy, which makes the community a pioneer in approving this type of instrument, establishes three main objectives. First, to achieve sustained growth in turnover and quality employment in the sector, as well as to maintain its weight in Andalusian GDP. Second, to promote the competitiveness of the Andalusian aeronautical industry to achieve convergence with the national and European average, for which the effort in R & D & i is essential. Finally, increase the weight of exports.

To achieve these ends, the tool establishes five backbone lines: investment in technologies, qualification of the sector, promotion of new products and markets, enhancement of the aerospace ecosystem and training for the sector. All of them will be implemented through twelve programs, which include a total of 57 measures. Among the main measures included in the document, the commitment to the competitiveness of traditional areas, through digitization and the incorporation of advanced technologies in manufacturing processes, stands out. It is also committed to the diversification of the activity, very focused on the manufacture of aerostructures, and to a greater presence of the Andalusian industry in activities and products with high added value.

Likewise, it establishes as a priority the development of new businesses such as RPAS (unmanned aircraft) and their applications, or increasing the internationalization of the business, in order to be able to reach other markets and clients. In addition, it points to the importance of reinforcing the sector’s investment in R & D & i, which will result in the diversification of products, markets and customers.

This document includes other actions aimed at promoting aeronautical services businesses in which the region has an important muscle, such as MRO (aircraft maintenance and repair) or pilot training. It also focuses on the participation of Andalusian industry in new European defense and space programs, on improving the quality of employment and on promoting public-private collaboration.

Update priorities against Covid

Although drafted immediately before the health crisis, the Andalusian Aerospace Strategy 2027 is approved at a juncture in which its proposals are very necessary, taking into account the scope of the economic crisis derived from the pandemic. Covid-19 is seriously damaging the aeronautical business fabric, with the paralysis of air communications and, consequently, with the fall in manufacturing, generating a climate of strong uncertainty in the short term. According to the latest available data, the volume of flights has fallen by 66% in Europe and the turnover of companies in the sector by around 40%.

After the approval of this strategic document, the Regional Ministry of Economic Transformation will constitute the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, whose first action will be to refine the priorities contemplated in the strategy to respond to the situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This body will be chaired by the General Secretariat of Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Regional Ministry of Economic Transformation and will have the participation of the General Secretariat of Industry and Mines, CEA, UGT-Andalusia and CCOO of Andalusia.

Participatory process

This strategic document has been the result of a participatory process, in which the relevant agents of the Andalusian aerospace ecosystem and experts and professionals from the sector have been counted. The most representative economic and social agents of the community -CEA, CCOO de Andalucía and UGT Andalucía- have also played a prominent role.

For the writing work, interviews, custom surveys and workshops have been carried out. In this phase, a total of 82 companies and institutions have participated.

Radiography of the sector

The Andalusian aerospace sector has a turnover of 2,830 million euros, generates direct employment of 14,507 jobs and is made up of 143 companies, located mainly in the provinces of Seville and Cádiz, although also with a presence in Málaga, Córdoba, Jaén and Huelva. It contributes a growing percentage to Andalusian GDP, reaching 1.73% in 2019, according to the latest available data.

The sector is quite diverse in its typology. Assembly activities bring together a greater number of companies, with 34%; It is followed by mechanical activities and tooling (20%), services (16%), engineering and consulting (12%), electrical and electronic material (4%) and space and the rest of composites and plastics, tractors and general aviation (4% ).

Another notable aspect of the segment is the high qualification that characterizes the job, since 29% of the employees are managers and middle managers and 49% are skilled workers.