A new cutting-edge, low carbon aerospace project will benefit from £12m in combined government and industry funding, Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani announced today.
The aerospace project will develop new aircraft wing technology, particularly for longer aircraft wings, to reduce CO2 emissions from flights. Additionally, it will upskill local employees and apprentices in a range of roles, including technicians and engineers.
Longer wings make it easier for an aircraft to create lift without using as much fuel, helping to reduce harmful carbon emissions.
The project will be carried out at Airbus Filton in the South West, and the funding will be delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme. These initiatives will support local jobs and upskill current staff at the facility.
Building a world-class aerospace sector
Around 2,700 staff work in high-skilled roles at Airbus Filton, which has established itself as the company’s lead UK site for civil aircraft R&D.
The new low carbon aerospace project will enable the site to develop some of the most exciting future technologies in aircraft wing design, fuel systems and landing gear.
Minister Ghani stated: “Our world-class aerospace sector is helping us grow the economy and lead the way on greener air travel, and this new project at Airbus Filton will ensure the South West stays at the forefront of this innovation.
“We’re backing our aerospace sector to soar, and projects like these are helping drive forward our goal of net zero air travel by 2050 and securing high-wage, high-skill jobs across the country in the process.”
The new aerospace project builds on £218m of funding that has already been allocated for cutting-edge UK aerospace research projects announced last month at the Paris Air Show.
How will the aerospace project boost the economy?
The ATI funding for the low carbon aerospace project forms part of a joint commitment with industry.
This funding will invest in new aircraft and manufacturing technologies set to help secure at least £20bn of further private investment in the UK aerospace sector and support over 100,000 jobs nationwide.
Minister Ghani also opened a new state-of-the-art Wing Technology Development Centre at Filton, which will house the next generation of aircraft wing technologies and production capabilities.
The Minister also gave a keynote address at an event hosted by key suppliers to the UK aerospace industry and manufacturers of aircraft components, including GKN, Airbus, Spirit AeroSystems, and several smaller businesses.
In her speech, Minister Ghani announced the government’s commitment to backing more innovation and investment for initiatives like the low carbon aerospace project.
The event marked the first time that the UK’s leading manufacturers in the aerospace sector have come together to give a joint message on their plans for the future and ambitions to attract more investment into the UK.
