Aeronautics

Midi-Pyrenees, a pioneering region for European aviation, is home to the headquarters of Airbus and its impressive technical and commercial success, and the undisputed world leader in civil aviation.
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Presentation
Midi-Pyrenees, the European leader in civil aviation
Midi-Pyrenees is a cradle of European aviation. Prestigious names are associated with its history, with industrialists such as Clément Ader, Emile Dewoitine, Pierre-Georges Latécoère and Louis Bréguet, as well as pioneers of the Aeropostale airline, such as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Jean Mermoz.
Currently, the region hosts the global headquarters of three aircraft manufacturers: Airbus, ATR and Daher-Socata.
Midi-Pyrenees is located at the heart of Aerospace Valley, world competitiveness cluster in aeronautics, space and embedded systems (100 establishments, more than 120,000 industrial employees, one third of French aeronautical personnel, 8,500 researchers). 
All areas of the industry are represented here: design offices, manufacturing, sheet metal work, hard metals, composites, assembly, interiors, maintenance, testing and trials, dismantling, etc.

Key Figures
800 companies - 60,500 employees
Delivery records for Airbus (588 aircraft) and ATR (64)
Revenues of €6.5 billion generated through subcontracting
The region consolidates its position as world leader in civil aircraft of more than 100 seats
European leader for cockpit systems
More than a quarter of the sector’s workforce is concentrated in Midi-Pyrenees
Midi-Pyrenees is also home to the leading global test center for airframes and materials and a competence center in hard metals, software certification and maintenance.
 
Major players
Leading companies
Aerolia
Air France Industries
Airbus
Airbus ACJC
ATR
Blanc Aero Industrie
Daher-Socata
Latécoère
Liebherr Aerospace
Ratier Figeac
Safran Group
Thales Avionics

Competitiveness clusters, networks and structures dedicated to the sector
Aerospace Valley, world competitiveness cluster Midi-Pyrenees & Aquitaine Aeronautics, Space and Embedded Systems.
Mecanic Vallée Cluster, cluster of over 250 companies in three main mechanical sectors: aerospace, automotive equipment and machine tools.
Tompasse Association, association of industries in the aeronautics, space and embedded systems sector in the Midi-Pyrenees region.
 
Training
Leading French region for aviation training
Two of France’s top three aeronautical engineering schools: ISAE (leading world complex for aerospace training and research, uniting Supaero and Ensica) and ENAC are in Midi-Pyrenees
Initial training for careers in aeronautics: ENSEEIHT, EMAC, ENIT, INSAT, UPS, TBS
More than 18,000 students trained each year in the aerospace sector
An ambitious project: Toulouse Montaudran Aerospace, Europe’s largest aerospace campus consisting of 190,000 m2 of offices, laboratories, research platforms and accommodation, at the historic site of the pioneering Aeropostale airline
Airbus France High School: Private Professional Secondary School for the aerospace Industry
Unique training centers at the national level
ECATA: European Consortium for Advanced Training in Aerospace
Air Business Academy
IAS: Aeronautics and Space Institute
 
Research & Development
Over 50% of French employees in public research join forces in Midi-Pyrenees.
Aeronautics research in Midi-Pyrenees represents half of regional R&D expenses.
A Technology Research Institute (IRT) in the field of aeronautics, which brings together 300 researchers in a 13,000 m2 building to develop tomorrow’s products
The creation of a technology transfer company (SATT) "Toulouse Tech Transfer" responsible for marketing laboratory research results.
The Midi-Pyrenees region has world-renowned research institutions, specialized in air navigation, testing and control centers:
LAAS (Laboratory for Analysis and Architecture of Systems /CNRS)
DGA Aeronautical Techniques (DGA: main European center for ground testing of military and civilian aircraft)
DTI - DSNA (Technology and Innovation Management - Air Navigation Services Management)
onERA (The French aerospace lab) and its complex of large European wind tunnels
Institut Carnot CIRIMAT (Center for Interuniversity Research and Engineering of Materials, Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III, INPT and CNRS)
CERFACS (European Center for Research and Advanced Training in Scientific Computation)
CNRM (National Center for Meteorological Research)
CEA of Gramat, bringing together the largest facilities at the European level for the simulation of electromagnetic fields
CEMES / CNRS (Materials and Structural Studies Development Center of Toulouse).
 
Major events in aviation
Midi-Pyrenees: an international meeting place for the industry
Aeromart, Europe’s largest aeronautics business convention. In 2012: 1,200 companies - 2,300 participants - 15,000 business meetings - 45 countries.
Speednews, 15th annual conference of aerospace industry suppliers (AISCT), September, Toulouse.
Find Midi-Pyrenees Expansion at numerous trade shows in the sector
Aircraft Interiors: International trade show of aircraft interiors - annual - Hamburg - April
Paris Airshow: Top aerospace industry event and the latest developments and innovations in the sector - biennial - June
MRO Europe: Main international event in the field of aircraft maintenance - annual - in September