Globally influential in aerospace
The German aerospace industry has been consistently on the rise and an international leader for decades, meeting the global demand for the future of efficient air travel.
Green and digital: the future of aerospace
Global air travel is expected to grow around 5 percent per year over the next 20 years. Along with this growth, there is a demand to replace older aircraft and a need for more fuel-efficient, cost- and energy-saving technology and design for aircraft engines and interiors. Europe’s, “Flightpath 2050”, strategy for the aviation industry calls for a reduction in emissions, as well as noise emissions. These needs require innovation in aerospace design.
Industry 4.0, with its intelligent digital solutions, is set to affect all aspects of the aerospace industry, from ground operations and aircraft maintenance to inflight operations and passenger entertainment.
German OEMs are responding to the trend towards globalisation of the aviation supply chain. They are at the centre of this transformation and present great opportunities for international investors.
Public support and networks for new technology
There are basically two government funding options in Germany, which have explicit focus on R&D in aerospace.
Option 1 is the Luftfahrtforschungsprogramm (“Aerospace Research Programme”), with grants of EUR 150 million for early-stage projects (TRL 1 to 6).
Option 2 is the Luftfahrzeugausrüsterprogramm (“Aerospace Equipment Programme”), with reimbursable advances of EUR 600 million for companies for advanced product development (TRL 7 to 9).
Germany's regional aerospace clusters network is particularly strong in innovation and manufacturing in areas like lightweight aerospace solutions, such as carbon materials.
Stability, strength, and breadth in aerospace
Strong workforce
There are 109,500 employees working in the aerospace industry. 50 percent of them are engineers or other highly qualified professionals.Market structure
Over 220 companies or other institutions are building the backbone of the aerospace industry.Continuous growth
Since the 1990s, each year the aerospace industry grows more than 7 percent on average.Innovations ahead
In 2017, 10 percent of revenues, EUR 4 billion, were spent on R&D.The German aerospace industry includes all business segments that collaborate and partner along the whole value chain, from manufacturing and component suppliers to system integrators, R&D, design and recycling.
A great location for FDI
Germany's solid base for business, including reliable judiciary and civil services, and high-quality and extensive transportation networks alongside secure contract and intellectual property regulation make it a leader in Europe in foreign direct investment.
Germany is at the forefront of change in the aviation industry – developing eco-friendly technologies, responding to the globalisation of the supply chain, and embracing the digital revolution – all with outstanding public support for research and a stable investment climate.