German Aerospace Industry: 2007 Brought Growth and Positive Trends

04/24/2008

Berlin - Germany's civil aircraft industry has seen sales grow by 6.3% in 2007 compared with 2006. Overall, the aerospace industry, consisting of the civil aircraft, space, and security and defense industries, was able to reach an increase of 3.7% amounting to 20.2 billion Euros last year. These data has been presented at a press conference by the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) today.

The positive trend in the German aerospace industry is also visible in terms of employment. In 2007, about 2,700 new jobs were created. This led to a 3.2% increase in jobs in the aerospace industry. In order to continue with this positive trend, Thomas Enders, president of BDLI and CEO of Airbus, outlined that it is imperative for German aerospace companies to focus on international markets and on R&D.  Enders further stated that the industry needs to intensify its efforts to ensure that benefits in the aerospace industry are not achieved at the expense of the environment. The German aerospace industry, Enders indicated, is aware of this and has already been conducting research successfully in fuel efficiency and alternative fuels for many years. A major goal of the industry is to build airplanes by 2020 that cut carbon dioxides by 50%, nitric oxides by 80%, and reduce noise by 50%, compared to airplanes built in 2000. 

Enders also stated that an increase in cooperation among R&D, politics, and industry is desired in order to make Germany more competitive. In 2006 the German government implemented the High-tech Strategy that aims to assist enterprises in conducting and improving R&D.

From May 27th – June 1st 2008 the BDLI and Messe Berlin are hosting the International Aerospace Exhibition and Conferences (ILA) in Berlin. This year's partner country is India. With more than 1,000 exhibitors from about 40 different countries, ILA once again proves to be one of the world’s largest trade fairs in aerospace.