The plan of the Canary Islands to be key in the aerospace sector

The economic impact of this sector in Spain is close to 20,000 million euros, approximately 1.3% of GDP and contributes more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

EKN

May 10 2025 (08:49 WEST)
Estrategia Aeroespacial Canaria 3
Estrategia Aeroespacial Canaria 3

The new Canary Islands Aerospace Strategy (EAC) aims to position the archipelago as a "key player" in the Spanish, European and global aerospace sector.

In Spain, according to the latest report by the Spanish Association of Technological Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space Companies (TEDAE) on the economic and social impact of this industry, the sector generated a turnover of 13,900 million euros in 2023, with an impact of almost 19,700 million euros, approximately 1.3% of the national GDP. In addition, it contributes around 215,600 direct and indirect jobs.

The new document will serve to coordinate public-private initiatives under one umbrella to attract companies to the islands that contribute wealth, diversify the productive fabric and create quality employment.

During the presentation of the strategy this week, President Clavijo highlighted the opportunity for the Canary Islands to become a hub of the aerospace sector in the mid-Atlantic.

He also highlighted the importance of betting on an industry in full expansion based on innovation and technology. "We cannot miss this train," he said after explaining that the EAC was born with the goal of facilitating the implementation path for companies on the islands and favoring their access to public funds that support the development of cutting-edge projects.

In addition to the climatic conditions, the orography, being surrounded by the sea, the proximity to Africa and the economic-fiscal benefits, Fernando Clavijo assured that the islands have a solid base on which to build a competitive aerospace industry.

"We have a robust ecosystem of scientific and technological infrastructures," he said in reference to the international prestige of facilities such as the Canary Islands Space Center (CEC), the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC), the Grantecan, the Plocan and the Canary Islands Stratoport for HAPS & UAS of Fuerteventura.

The head of the Government also referred to the multiplier effect that the aerospace industry can contribute to some of the main challenges of the Canary Islands and many other territories. The prevention and management of forest fires; the control of migratory flows; the improvement in urban planning; the management of the water emergency, precision agriculture; land and maritime security; or the monitoring of climate change are some of its many possible applications.

 

Advisory Committee and Aerospace Alliance 

 

The general director of Organic Coordination and Strategic Projects, David Pérez Dionis, highlighted the importance of the Canary Islands becoming a key player in the national, European and international aerospace industry.

"We are convinced that it is time to take a quantitative and qualitative leap to diversify our economy by taking advantage of the window of opportunity offered by the aerospace sector," said the general director, assuring that the Government of the Canary Islands will contribute to facilitating access to state and European funds aimed at the aerospace sector.

"We will also offer financing lines that favor the promotion of the aerospace industry in the islands and that allow the development of specific initiatives, such as training and specialized qualification programs or support for projects promoted by Canary Islands startups," he said.

For his part, the director of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC), Valentín Martínez Pillet, thanked the Government of the Canary Islands for promoting this initiative, "in which we have been actively working for a long time and which we are seeing how little by little it is becoming stronger and bearing important fruits."  

From the IAC, scientific and technological knowledge is contributed to the service of society with what is now called "the double use. That is, the technology that has been designed for Astrophysics now serves all types of sectors ranging from environmental surveillance to health or agriculture," said Martínez Pillet.

The Canary Islands Aerospace Strategy, coordinated from the Presidency of the Government through the General Directorate of Organic Coordination and Strategic Projects, includes among its lines of action the creation of an Operational Advisory Committee of the Strategy and an Aerospace Alliance of the Canary Islands with all the agents of the sector.

It will include organizations from both the public and private spheres, as well as scientific and technological centers and Canary Islands universities. It is about joining efforts to organize the map of aerospace projects and initiatives, as well as aligning priorities and maximizing the synergies and potential capabilities of the Canary Islands in this sector.

On the other hand, the EAC establishes the need to align with international and state aerospace initiatives and strategies with the aim of positioning the Canary Islands as an international benchmark in the aerospace field. Thus, in addition to coordinating with the programs of the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), with the PERTE Aerospace or with the Strategic Agendas of the Spanish Aerospace Technological Platform (PAE), the Canary Islands Aerospace Strategy aspires to establish synergies with equivalent initiatives from other autonomous communities, such as the New Space Strategy of Catalonia, the Aerospace Strategy of Andalusia or the Civil UAVs initiative of the Xunta de Galicia.

 

 

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