Aero
The Walloon civil aviation sector is a historic industry, built on strong metalworking and mechanical skills developed throughout the 20th century. Today, it remains a major industrial pillar in Wallonia and continues to grow steadily.
The sector accounts for more than 70% of Belgium’s aeronautical activity and supplies over 5% of Airbus aircraft equipment. It is also present in the supply chains of other major international manufacturers such as Boeing, Embraer and Bombardier.
The Walloon aeronautics industry employs more than 10,000 people in direct jobs and generates a turnover exceeding 1.5 billion euros.
Areas of activity
The ecosystem is structured around advanced expertise covering the entire value chain of civil aviation:
Metallic and composite aeronautical structures
Aircraft engines and propulsion systems
Engine test benches
Embedded systems
Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
Digital simulation and computer-aided design
Airport services
Research, development and training
The sector brings together world-class companies, such as :
Safran Aero Boosters, world leader in low-pressure compressors,
Sonaca, world leader in wing leading edges,
Sabca (Orizio Group), active in aeronautical structures and maintenance,
as well as a dense and dynamic network of innovative SMEs, integrated into international supply chains, sometimes as Tier 1 suppliers.
A roadmap focused on decarbonised aviation
🔎 Discover the Technological and Strategic Roadmap for Civil Aeronautics – June 2023
Developed collectively by all stakeholders in the sector, the Walloon Aeronautics Roadmap defines the strategic priorities that will enable Wallonia to position itself sustainably in addressing the major challenge of global aviation decarbonisation.
It highlights the need to maintain a strong and sustained research effort in order to preserve the sector’s international competitiveness, anticipate future technological breakthroughs and consolidate a high value-added industry that creates skilled jobs.
Clear technological pathways, operational recommendations and a structured action plan are defined within this roadmap. The Skywin cluster actively relies on this roadmap to support its members and to structure tomorrow’s collaborative projects.
