The Basque Country Aeronautics and Space Cluster Association Members recorded a turnover of more than €2.4 billion in 2017, 7.9% more than the previous financial year, and increased employment by 6.2%, bringing the total to 14,457 jobs. The figures were presented today at the press conference given at the Alava Technology Park, following the General Assembly of the HEGAN Cluster, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary. By sub-sectors, Aerostructures accounted for 55.5% of the turnover for this period, Engines 38.5%, Systems & Equipment 3.5% and Space 2.5%.

This year, we are able to highlight that 3,145 female employees work at all the facilities operated by the Member Companies worldwide. Over half of these female jobs (54%) correspond to graduates, engineers and managers.

In turn, exports rose by 18.2% compared to 2016, till €1.6 billion. The United Kingdom was the top destination for Basque aerospace exports, worth €423 million, followed by Germany (€316 million), France (€281 million), The United States (€198 million) and Brazil (€97 million).

In the last 20 years, the HEGAN Cluster (which was founded with 14 member companies that recorded a turnover of €325 million in its first year of activity and has increased the number of members to 64 companies) has multiplied its turnover by more than 7 and its number of employees by almost 6, expanding to gain a major international presence, while adding new members from the Basque Science and Technology Network such as universities and technology centers, to create a leading ecosystem that covers virtually the entire aeronautics and space sector. Consequently, during these 20 years, the Basque Country has witnessed the rise and consolidation of this booming industrial sector.

Last year, investment in RTD reached €201 million, a rise of 34% compared to the previous year. During this period without new aeronautics programs, the principal driving force behind this increase are development programs in the Engine segment, the efforts in all areas to deal with the expected increases in delivery cycles and customer demands for competitiveness. Adapting our companies to the "Industry 4.0" is key. A milestone worth highlighting was the opening of the Aeronautics Advanced Manufacturing Center (CFAA in Spanish). This Center is consolidating its position as the driving force behind many of the Cluster's group RTD initiatives in the Engine segment.

In total, in 2017 HEGAN member companies participated in 181 RTD projects. Of particular note is the participation of 9 HEGAN Members as Core Partners in Clean Sky 2. They are Aciturri, Aernnova, Altran, CTA, Danobat, DMP, IK4, ITP Aero and Tecnalia, which are among the 94 European companies acting as Core Partners. Other companies participating in Clean Sky 2 include Ayesa Air Control, Batz Aerospace and SENER, as well as the UPV/EHU and the technology center Cidetec. In fact, the Basque Country is the second European region, behind Campania, with regard to the number of accepted proposals in this initiative during 2017.

The HEGAN Members forecasts for 2018 are optimistic. The outlook remains positive in the medium and long-term and the sector is undergoing a period of strong production growth, therefore we are estimating a 4% increase in turnover and a 2% increase in employment for 2018. The Basque aerospace industry is well-placed but still needs to plan for the future in order to remain competitive and to ensure the long-term market position of its companies. Perhaps the key challenge for this year and the coming years, in addition to retaining and attracting talent, is to improve efficiency in order to increase capacity and become more competitive. In addition, the sector needs to count on specific institutional support measures in order to launch the new programs that are now being planned for the coming years.