Aerospace Industry Overview
Portugal presents a dynamic aerospace industry, supported by a strong and skilled workforce and a focus on R&D and innovation.
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Aerospace industry
Portugal presents a dynamic aerospace industry, supported by a strong, skilled workforce and a focus on R&D and innovation.
The aerospace sector in Portugal has a strong and export-oriented industrial base, which provides unique capabilities across the entire value chain.
In Portugal, manufacturers are significantly involved in the designing and production phases of launching systems, airplanes, satellites, components, systems development and maintenance execution activities. As a result, this increases the demand for higher levels of quality and productivity within the sector.
Portugal has been actively participating in R&D and Innovation Framework Programs from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Moreover, Portugal holds established protocols with NASA and has secured strategic partnerships with MIT and UT Austin.
Furthermore, Portugal offers world-class engineering schools equipped with comprehensive workforce qualification programs specifically tailored for the aerospace sector.
Key figures
Main export markets
35,9
%Brazil
17,9
%USA
16,2
%France
15,3
%Ireland
5,6
%Switzerland
Eurostat (2022) weight on total exports
Main international investors
SABI. Top 5 international firms with highest turnover (2021).
Aeronautic Industry
The aeronautic industry in Portugal has been facing important technological developments.
The aeronautic industry in Portugal has been observing an important technological development with impact at worldwide level, emerging as an exporting industry.
Several multinationals have invested in Portugal in the past few years, such as Aernnova, Lauak, Mecachrome or Airbus Atlantic. This can be accredited to the highly qualified human resources prevalent in Portugal, their proficiency in English, and their extensive engineering expertise. Additionally, the existence of R&D centers and high-quality suppliers further strengthens Portugal’s appeal to these multinational organizations.
Portugal has a consolidated aeronautic industry, with players in different areas, such as components’ manufacturers, interior cabin design, molds and tooling, electronics, software and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). These capabilities were enhanced with the participation in the structuring of the KC 390 project.
The MRO industry is observing a quick development in the defence, civil and executive aviation which is thriving because of the country’s extensive knowledge and experience in the area. OGMA and TAP Maintenance and Engineering, key players in this area, provide a wide range of MRO services in aircraft services with solid skills to external clients.
Case-studies
1 /
Aernnova
… In 2022, Aernnova concluded the acquisition of two Embraer industrial plants in Évora, performing an investment of €151M …
TMG
… By earning the trust of Pratt and Whitney - world leader in design, manufacture and service for aircraft engines – OGMA developed an airship motor maintenance center for Raytheon Technologies …
Lauak
… The French company Lauak invested, in 2019, €32M in Setúbal to produce state-of-the-art components to the aeronautic industry, namely for Airbus planes …
Did you know?
… the OGMA company earned a spot in the top 10 MROs (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) in Europe, assured by the Aerospace & Defence Review?
Space Industry
Portugal's space industry is undergoing major developments that are being boosted by its talent pool and R&D projects.
The space industry is observing a steady growth, with a strong focus on technology development and innovation supported by the country’s favorable location. The space ecosystem in Portugal is diverse and dynamic, with 48 companies and 25 R&D centers, according to the Portuguese Space Agency, with special focus on space safety, earth observation, telecommunications and navigation, science and exploration, technology, space and transportation.
Portugal’s Atlantic positioning opens new opportunities for investment by making available infrastructures that are not reachable or replicable in other countries.
Additionally, Portugal hosts Azores Spaceport, one of the few planned spaceports in Europe, being one of the first European Space Agency stations that can track a launcher during the propulsion phase.
The Portugal Space 2030 Program aims to strengthen Space’s ecosystem, promoting Space as a business, as well as proposing the development of R&D and innovation units. For example, RAEGE Azores, a R&D association are responsable for managing space stations installed in Azores and LAETA from IST, that addresses complex challenges in the field of aerospace.
Omnidea
... Omnidea, with CEiiA (Center of Engineering and Product Development ) and AIR Centre, created GEOSAT - Global Earth Observation Satellites, that holds two medium and high-resolution Earth observation satellites, becoming the first Portuguese company to hold this type of assets and one of the largest European satellite operators ...
Did you know?
… with over 2 million hours dedicated to space’s study, Activespace has contributed to 30 space missions, most of them performed by the European Space Agency, by manufacturing high precision components for satellites?
… Thales EDISOFT Teleport in Santa Maria Island in Azores has a valuable infrastructure in a geostrategic position, serving space missions through a wide range of ground segment services (e.g satellite navigation and communication solutions), supported by specialized engineering teams, operating in several domains, such as aeronautics, mobility, transportation and earth observation?
… the Spanish space company Deimos Engineering, together with Deimos Space UK, were selected to develop the “Prime” micro-ship flight control system of Orbex, a British low-cost space launching private company?
Recent track record in Portugal
Portugal has been on international investors’ radar, being the location selected for important projects and investments by key industry players.
Recent FDI Projects in Portugal
1 /
Leolabs (USA)
LeoLabs, specialized in providing low-Earth orbit (LEO) mapping and situational awareness services in space, inaugurated in June 2023, the new Space Radar Station in Azores; The new radar is in Santa Maria Island and adds essential coverage in Europe; The Azores Space Radar is set to boost LEO’s performance, increasing its tracking operations by 25%.
Airbus Atlantic (France)
Airbus Atlantic, formerly Stelia Aerospace, inaugurated, in September of 2022, new facilities in Santo Tirso, occupying an area of 20.000 square meters and employing 150 people. The factory produces parts and equipments for the A320 and A350 models, representing an investment of €40M.
RFA - Rocket Factory Augusburg (Germany)
In June 2021, the German RFA- Rocket Factory Augusburg officially opened an engineering development center in the Oporto area. The company targets the development and qualification of RFA ONE’s (launch system composite structures) in close collaboration with Portugal’s Centre of Engineering and Product Devolvement in Matosinhos (CEiiA).
Lauak (France)
In 2018, the French Lauak, a company in the aviation industry, invested almost €20M in a factory in Grândola, Setúbal region, to manufacture components for aircrafts, creating 300 highly skilled jobs; Lauak Portugal, in Setúbal, is producing components for Airbus and Embraer; Lauak Portugal exports more than 90% of its production and, in Setúbal’s plant, it employs 500 people, the majority being highly qualified.
What investors say
Because of its strategic location, the qualified labor force and the hospitality, Portugal is an attractive destiny to develop the aerospace sector.
By signing a contract with Pratt & Whitney to be the new maintenance center for aircrafts, we show the competence and experience of the workforce in Portugal.
Portugal, with its competitive talent pool, notable quality, capability and cost advantages, has become an obvious partner for Airbus.
Portugal is one of the most attractive IT centers, an advantage in attracting international talent.
