Airbus invested €69M last year

Airbus’ vice president for southern Europe and Israel told Lusa on Tuesday that the investment in 2021 was €69 million and that production at Stelia Aerospace (Santo Tirso) has started.

“The strong development” of the Stelia Aerospace Portugal activities and the Airbus Global Business Services (GBS) centre in the Portuguese market “allowed Airbus to increase the global investment in Portugal” by an average of 16% per year “in the last four years”, said César Sanchez, in a written reply to questions from Lusa.

In 2021, the total invested by Airbus in the country was “€69 million”.

The official highlighted that the aeronautical manufacturer has invested “in strong and advanced capabilities in the country, positioning Portugal as a ‘key player'” in Airbus’ industrial model.

“Portugal is on board all Airbus’ commercial programmes”, just as it is “active in a wide range of activities” and the fact that all the manufacturer’s divisions are supplied in Portugal.

Asked about aerostructure manufacturer Stelia Aerospace, an assembly plant in Santo Tirso, in the Porto district, César Sanchez said that production has already started.

“Thanks to the support of the Portuguese authorities, Stelia Aerospace Portugal is well on track. Production has already started with about 100 people hired and working at the new facilities,” said the Airbus vice-president for Southern Europe and Israel.

“This project foresees, in the medium term, the creation of more than 250 jobs,” and the site will cover 25,000 square metres.

“Stelia Aerospace Portugal is part of a coherent and integrated industrial system,” he said.

The aim “is to develop a strong competence in manufacturing aerostructures in Portugal, complement our strategy and global industrial footprint, and contribute to our competitiveness,” he stressed.

Asked if Airbus is considering other investments in the Portuguese market in the next three years, César Sanchez stressed that “over the years”, the manufacturer “has contributed to the local economy through the development” of the group’s supply chain.

“Despite the difficult economic context, Airbus has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to Portugal, investing in Portugal’s regional industrial and business area through Stelia Aerospace Portugal and the Airbus Global Business Services centre,” he stressed.

“This commitment will continue to bring mutual benefits to both Portugal and Airbus in the coming years, notably through creating additional domestic jobs across the sector,” he remarked.

Regarding possible delays in aircraft delivery, the official declined to comment as the group does not comment on “contractual elements” concerning its customers.

Airbus is the Platinum sponsor of the ninth edition of AED Days 2022, the main event of the Portuguese aeronautics, space and defence ‘cluster’, which takes place in Oeiras between today and May 27.

Airbus has around 30 Portuguese suppliers, representing direct purchases of about €65 million a year.

The group is responsible for more than 1,100 jobs in Portugal generated directly by Airbus’ business and more than 4,000 indirect jobs.