The Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mines of the Andalusian Government, Jorge Paradela, and the president of the Andalucía Aeroespace cluster, Antonio Gómez-Guillamón, presented an overview of the performance of the Andalusian aerospace sector in 2024, a year in which it achieved a record turnover of 2,914 million euros, and created 1,056 new jobs, bringing the total number of direct jobs to 15,496.
During the International Aeronautics and Space Show in Paris-Le Bourget, the minister, accompanied by Vice Minister Cristóbal Sánchez, emphasized that these figures, with a 6.8% increase in turnover and 7.3% growth in employment compared to 2023, «demonstrate the strength of the Andalusian industrial model and its ability to evolve efficiently to meet the new market demands.»
From the Andalucía Trade stand, where the presentation took place, Jorge Paradela pointed out that «since 2022, Andalucía has experienced a significant increase of almost 24% in turnover, reaching the highest figure of the entire series starting in 2013 in 2024, and a growth of 18% in terms of employment,» according to the annual report prepared by the Andalucía Aerospace cluster.
Paradela emphasized that the Andalusian government wants the aerospace industry to be «one of the key pillars of the industrial transformation of Andalucía». In this regard, «we will continue to join efforts with companies and economic and social agents to address challenges, seize the opportunities on the horizon, and achieve new levels of growth.»
The Minister Paradela during his speech at the Andalucía Trade stand in Le Bourget.
In this context, he outlined the various aid programs that the Ministry makes available to the Andalusian industrial fabric to strengthen it and build capabilities, with open calls totaling 80 million euros. He mentioned the 17 million for promoting a sustainable aviation hub in Jerez, 31 million for 100% Andalusian satellite and drone systems, 15.4 million for the logistics auxiliary industry in Córdoba, and 15.2 million for the naval sector in Cádiz.
The president of Andalucía Aeroespace, Antonio Gómez-Guillamón, highlighted that «revealing the data of the Andalusian aerospace sector in 2024 at the Paris Air Show holds strategic value: Andalucía proves to be a key player in the international aerospace scene.» He noted that the turnover and employment figures for 2024 «confirm that the Andalusian aerospace sector has not only consolidated its recovery but is steadily moving towards a new growth cycle.»
He pointed out that «we are convinced that the future of the sector in our community lies in attracting investments, reinforcing the value chain, and advancing in emerging areas such as space or urban air mobility. Andalucía is ready to lead the sector’s upcoming challenges,» stated Gómez Guillamón. «From Andalucía Aerospace, we will continue to work hand in hand with institutions and companies to consolidate this leadership, promote public-private collaboration, and explore new opportunities in a sector that is one of the main showcases of talent, technology, and innovation developed in our region,» he added.
According to the Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mines of the Junta, «the Andalusian aerospace industry is strategically positioned to face the major transformation currently taking place in the sector,» citing the increase in global demand in civil aviation, with Airbus as a key reference for the Andalusian industry. «This growth not only consolidates Andalucía’s role as a key territory in the value chain of programs like the A320 or the A350 but also generates a pulling effect. Andalusian companies are in a privileged position to respond to this demand,» he emphasized.
The Minister Jorge Paradela at an event at the Spanish Pavilion at the International Aeronautics and Space Show in Paris-Le Bourget.
Regarding defense, the increase in European spending and new international programs provide a clear opportunity for further growth in mature programs such as the C295 and A400M, as well as in new projects under development, Paradela considered. «Andalucía must strengthen its participation in key projects, focus on critical technologies like drones, taking advantage of the CEUS in Moguer (Huelva) and ATLAS in Villacarrillo (Jaén) which have opened up opportunities in this field that we must transform into new industrial prospects.
Simultaneously, the transition to decarbonized aviation requires accelerating the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and advancing in the development of new technologies like green hydrogen. «Andalucía, with its leadership in renewables and projects like the NET ZERO hub in Jerez, which already has a 17 million euro aid call open, can and should be a protagonist,» asserted Paradela.
He also emphasized the need to adapt to digital transformation, especially in areas like maintenance where, as seen at the Paris Air Show, «artificial intelligence is already making a difference.» In this regard, «the technological centers in Málaga, Granada, and Sevilla are key allies of the sector, and it is precisely there where the synergies between industry, knowledge, and technology become crucial to strengthen the entire Andalusian industrial ecosystem.»
Furthermore, the growth of new markets in Asia or Latin America presents opportunities that Andalusian companies are already leveraging, as evidenced by the export results of the previous year, which saw a 34% increase with significant growth in Asia and America. Added to this is the challenge of «attracting and retaining talent, beyond our strong university system». The launch this year of the Vocational Training Center, Javier Imbroda, in La Rinconada, specializing in the aerospace industry, and the implementation of unique training projects that will train over 20,000 people for the aerospace industry, naval sector, green hydrogen, or the Army’s logistics base in Córdoba are examples of the cross-cutting commitment of the Andalusian government, highlighted the minister.
«With this data, this energy, and this shared vision, we can say that Andalucía is not only prepared to compete but is ready to lead,» he concluded.