Airbus in Spain

Our presence in the region

As one of the company’s three founding nations, Spain is home to major production facilities for commercial aircraft, helicopter, space and defence activities, not least final assembly lines for all Airbus Defence and Space military aircraft. Airbus has also established dedicated Research and Development Centres where projects at the leading edge of science and technology are researched.

Our impact

Airbus in Spain is a key player in the global Airbus network, employing over 14,000 experts across eight sites in Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, and Andalusia. The Getafe site, Airbus’ third largest, hosts national headquarters and the innovative Campus Futura, fostering collaboration and diversity. Airbus leads Spain's aerospace and defence sectors, driving €2.8 billion in GDP and 60% of A&D exports.

Partnering with 20+ universities, Airbus trains talent through internships and vocational programmes, shaping the future of Spain’s aerospace workforce.

Contributing to the GDP

€2,8 bn

in 2021
Supporting national supply chain

~€2,200 mn

spent annually
Generating exports

>€3,4 bn

annually

Our products & services

At Airbus in Spain, we deliver world-class solutions across Commercial Aircraft, Helicopters, Defence, and Space. From pioneering sustainable aviation and leading-edge helicopters to advanced defence systems and space exploration technologies, our innovative products and services drive progress, enhance security, and connect the world.

Commercial Aircraft in Spain

Our products & services

We employ around 4,000 people in Spain, specializing in the design, engineering, and manufacture of advanced components with digitized and automated processes.

We are responsible for the rear fuselage and empennages of Airbus commercial aircraft and specialists in large carbon fiber surfaces.

In Getafe we assemble and equip stabilizers for the A320, A330, and A350 and rear fuselage (S19) for A350. Our Airbus UpNext and ZEROe Development Centre (ZEDC) drive innovation in hydrogen technologies.

In Illescas, we excel in large carbon fiber structures, manufacturing wing lower covers and S19 for A350 and empennage components for the A320 and A330. In Cádiz, our focus is on composite materials and metallic solutions, supporting Airbus programs with cutting-edge technology and producing empennage components for A320, A330 and A350 families.

Helicopters in Spain

Our products & services

With a rich heritage tracing back to AISA and De La Cierva, Airbus Helicopters is Spain’s leading helicopter company and the top supplier to the Spanish Armed Forces and governmental fleets like the Guardia Civil and Police.

From our main site in Albacete, where over 500 people work in design, manufacturing, MRO, and sales, to Getafe, where we provide engineering support, we drive innovation and excellence. Albacete is our global center of excellence for helicopter rear fuselages and produces NH90 fuselage sections.

Our new Albacete logistics center supports European factories, solidifying its role in our industrial strategy.

Airbus Military family flight Seville taxiing and take-off

Defence in Spain

Our products & services

Airbus Defence and Space employs around 9,000 people across five sites in Spain, leading key aerospace and defence initiatives. Our Air Power business, representing 50% of the division, is led from Spain and oversees strategic and tactical transport, mission aircraft, and Eurofighter participation—Europe's leading collaborative defence programme.

In Getafe, we host Spain's Eurofighter Final Assembly Line, A400M MRO, and A330 MRTT conversion, equipping A330 jetliners with advanced refueling systems. Seville's San Pablo site leads military transport activities, including the A400M and C295 Final Assembly Lines, and houses the Military Aircraft International Training Centre.

Airbus leads Spain’s participation in the Eurodrone programme. In Cádiz, we deliver composite components for military and civil platforms. Our Barcelona Intelligence site enhances security, mission planning, and resource management while protecting the environment.

Airbus in Spain also leads the Extreme Low Observability pillar of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), and participates in the new generation fighter demonstrator pillar.

Space in Spain

Our products & services

Airbus Space Systems drives Spain's space sector, operating advanced facilities in Getafe, the nation's hub for satellite and launcher production. We are Spain’s only major satellite prime manufacturer, having led projects like the PAZ, Ingenio, and ESA’s CHEOPS satellite. Currently, we’re developing LSTM, Spain’s first Copernicus climate satellite.

In launchers, we design and manufacture carbon fiber structures for Ariane 6 and Vega-C, earning recognition as a Composite Centre of Excellence. Our expertise extends to payload adapters, active antennas for missions like Galileo and SPAINSAT NG, and instruments for ESA satellites such as SMOS and JUICE.

We support Mars missions with high-gain antennas and weather stations for NASA’s rovers. At Tres Cantos, we produce electronic products for satellites and space exploration. Since 1966, we’ve shaped Europe’s space successes, from satellites to the Lunar Gateway.

Local partnerships

Airbus is a key driver of Spain's national prosperity, technology, and skills, collaborating with over 1,300 companies, including leading firms like Aernova, Indra, ITP Aero, and Siemens. We work closely with academia, government education bodies, and influential think tanks to foster innovation and growth.

Our facilities in Seville are central to the Andalusian Aerospace Cluster, uniting regional aerospace stakeholders such as Tier 1 suppliers, SMEs, universities, technology centers, entrepreneurial organizations, unions, and the regional government. Together, we strengthen Spain's aerospace ecosystem and advance its global competitiveness.

Innovation

Airbus leverages its pioneering spirit and innovation heritage to advance critical aerospace and defence technologies, driven by the talent of our Spanish scientists and engineers. In recent years, we’ve expanded our R&D footprint in Spain from 4% to 6%, aiming for 10% by 2023. With over €555 million invested annually in R&D and 42 European patents filed per year, 10% of our revenues go toward research and technology.

Spain hosts Airbus’ global centre of excellence for composites, pivotal in carbon fibre aerostructures. Airbus UpNext and the ZEROe Development Centre are leading Spanish contributors to hydrogen-powered aviation and sustainability goals. Airbus Scale, our innovation unit, drives recovery and growth, supporting aviation decarbonization through corporate innovation, startups, and new ventures.

Spain is home to one of Airbus’ 11 ProtoSpace centres, fostering rapid prototyping and global collaboration. Additionally, our Defence and Space teams lead Clean Sky 2 projects, including the C295 Flight Test Bed 2, aiming to reduce CO2, NOx, and noise levels.

Other innovations include the A330 MRTT’s automatic refuelling system and drones for aircraft maintenance, shaping the future of sustainable aviation.

Corporate citizenship

Airbus partners with non-profit organizations to create sustainable solutions for community needs.

Through our +impact platform, employees can donate, fundraise, and volunteer for causes they care about, fostering global connections. We focus on supporting vulnerable communities, the environment, and youth. Our corporate giving program prioritizes partnerships that respond to community needs and deliver lasting positive impact.

At Airbus, we value diversity as a driver of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, believing that every individual can contribute to our collective success.