The £250m funding boost for aerospace tech projects unveiled by government this week will provide the industry with the “confidence and stability it needs to fuel innovation” according to Airbus UK chairman John Harrison.
The funding will drive the development of greener air travel and net zero aviation, including hydrogen-powered flight and the use of laser technologies for large-scale aerostructure manufacturing.
This additional investment will be provided via the ATI funding programme, a joint government and industry investment that offers funding for research and technology development in the UK.
Part of the funding boost included a £35m investment to the second phase of the ZEROe Development Centre (ZEDC), led by Airbus.
The project develops infrastructure for testing liquid hydrogen fuel systems and structural components to support zero-emission aircraft technologies.
“It’s terrific to see ATI funding allocated to projects like our ZEDC that will be built at Airbus Filton,” said Harrison.
“It’s initiatives like these that are absolutely critical to accelerating our decarbonisation journey and advancing sustainable, cutting-edge manufacturing.
“The continued ATI funding provides the UK aerospace industry with the confidence and stability it needs to fuel innovation.”
This latest support announcement is from the £975m allocated to the ATI programme between 2025 and 2030 by the government.
“This government is backing aerospace,” Industry Minister Sarah Jones said.
“This investment will keep it at the forefront of innovation, not only delivering economic growth but boosting the charge to net zero 2030.”
Aerospace Technology Institute’s chief innovation officer Paul Adams, spoke of how this funding announcement is crucial for both recruitment and industry growth.
“This funding announcement supports critical world-leading research – vital to ensuring UK aerospace companies continue to provide great jobs and growth in future, whilst delivering on our ambitious environmental goals.
“This is a huge vote of confidence in UK aerospace and in British aerospace companies.”
According to industry trade association ADS, the UK’s aerospace sector added £13.6bn to the economy in 2024, which is an increase of almost 50% compared to 2014.
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