The European aerospace industry provides thousands of highly-skilled, well paid jobs in Europe, but these jobs are at risk. Europe continues to face unfair competition from countries such as China and the US who receive unfair state aid. We need a level-playing field so that we can compete on a global level.

The European aerospace sector is often considered the ‘’jewel in the crown’’ of European industry and has previously received substantial support from the EU via R&D funding and support for the two successful JTIs (Clean Sky and Sesar). However, major challenges continue to threaten European manufacturing and further action is needed to combat these challenges and ensure a positive future for European workers. 

Luc Triangle, General Secretary of industriAll Europe, said: “The European aerospace industry provides thousands of highly-skilled, well paid jobs in Europe, but these jobs are at risk. Europe continues to face unfair competition from countries such as China and the US who receive unfair state aid. We need a level-playing field so that we can compete on a global level.

‘’Workers also continue to raise their concerns about skills-gaps in the sector, this coupled with digitalisation means that urgent social dialogue is needed between the employers and the workers to anticipate changes in processes to ensure that appropriate re-skilling and up-skilling takes place ASAP. The future of the workforce must be taken into account when discussing European industrial policy and we insist that the European Commission takes note of the recommendations listed in the recently adopted CCMI opinion.’’

One of the most pressing topics that was discussed during the high-level meetings was Brexit. The Customs Union and the Single Market are of critical importance for the European aerospace sector due to the amount of parts that cross-national borders before final assembly. A bad Brexit, or a ‘’no deal’’ Brexit would be a disaster for all European workers.

Luc Triangle added: “Europe should be proud of the success of the European aerospace sector. We produce high-tech world class products and our workers are highly skilled, but we cannot be complacent. European industry and European workers face many challenges and we call on the European Commission, European Parliament and European employers to engage with trade unions and agree on a clear and ambitious European industrial policy for the sector.’’

Notes for the editor:

IndustriAll Europe has released a policy paper on Brexit as well as a sector-specific policy paper on Brexit and the Aerospace sector. 

IndustriAll Europe contributed to the CCMI Opinion ‘’Challenges and industrial changes in the EU Aerospace Sector’’ which was supported by employers, employees and civil society represented in the EESC.