THE IMPACT OF AIRBUS ON THE UK ECONOMY - MARCH 2022
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE IMPACT OF AIRBUS ON THE UK ECONOMY MARCH 2022
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword2
Executive summary4
1. Introduction10
1.1 Airbus in the UK 10
1.2 Motivation for the report 11
2. The economic impact of Airbus in the UK16
2.1 Direct impact 16
2.2 Indirect impact 19
2.3 Induced impact 20
2.4 Total impact 22
3. Airbus’ UK operations in 2021 and beyond26
3.1 Airbus’ activity in the UK in 2021 26
3.2 Looking to the future 27
3.3 Airbus’ recent investments in the UK 28
4. Airbus across the UK32
4.1 Procurement and wage spending 32
4.2 Economic impact across the UK 34
5. The economic impact of Airbus’ divisions40
5.1 Commercial Aircraft 40
5.2 Defence and Space 42
5.3 Helicopters 44
6. Airbus’ catalytic impact48
6.1 Research and development 48
6.2 Upskilling 52
7. Impact of Airbus’ sustainability commitments58
7.1 Social responsibility 58
7.2 Environmental responsibility 66
8. Conclusion72
Appendix: Methodology74
MARCH 2022 1
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
FOREWORD
Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for Despite the headwinds we have faced in 2020
a safe and united world, helping to connect and 2021, we are recovering from the demand
countries and communities across the globe. shocks caused by COVID-19. Indeed our
While we are an international business, it is continued investments throughout the crisis
vital that we never lose sight of the impact have ensured we retain the critical knowledge
our activities have on the countries and base required to fulfil our long-term strategic
communities in which we operate. objectives. Because of prudent management
the company is well placed to grow again.
Fundamental to our operations is the
relationship Airbus enjoys with its four home Central to this recovery are our UK operations:
nations. The mutually beneficial nature of this Our £250 million investment in 2021,
relationship is exemplified by this report about purchasing the land our Filton and Broughton
our activities in the United Kingdom. sites operate on, demonstrates this. In 2022,
with the market revival ongoing, we remain a
The work by Oxford Economics shows that vital part of the UK’s economic, societal and
with more than 25 sites spread across the environmental landscape.
country, spanning the Commercial Aircraft,
Defence, Space and Helicopter sectors, our We are the largest civil aerospace company
presence in the UK contributes to the UK’s in the country, the biggest civil aerospace
aerospace sector being the third largest in exporter, Britain’s largest space company, the
Europe and fourth largest globally, building on biggest supplier of large aircraft to the Royal
a proud 100-year British aviation heritage. Air Force and responsible for around 50% of
the UK’s civil helicopter fleet.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe
negative impact on the global economy with Although our total contribution to UK GDP
companies around the world having to adapt to fell as a result of the pandemic, we remained
significant levels of market volatility. In addition, responsible for £5.6 billion of total economic
the aviation sector has been particularly hard contribution to the UK in 2020, supporting
hit by travel restrictions put in place to combat 86,400 jobs across the country, many in
the virus, dealing a significant blow to our economically deprived areas. We also pay our
customers and partners. employees wages that are around 60% higher
than the national average. We are underwriting
As a result, our own business has had to adapt our future through our links with dozens of UK
to the reduced demand for our products universities and research institutions, along with
and services by scaling back the size of investing heavily in young people, employing
our workforce and our Commercial Aircraft more than 1,100 apprentices during 2019 and
activity. However as this report clearly shows, 2020 alone.
the company did not pass on the full degree
of the financial impact of the pandemic to
our employees or the wider UK economy.
Furthermore our workforce adjustments in
the UK because of COVID-19 did not include
compulsory redundancies.
2
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
We are steadfast in our commitment to We recognise that high productivity, delivered
the UK, and we continue to invest in our through sustainable business practices,
workforce, in research and development, and investments in upskilling and efficient use of
in the technologies that give the UK strategic capital, produces high quality and in-demand
advantage. We do all this while playing a vital products that our global customers desire.
role in limiting human-made carbon emissions Indeed in 2019 each Airbus employee generated
and providing advanced sustainable aviation £155,000 in contributions to UK GDP. Our high
solutions that will benefit the entire planet. productivity and balanced order backlogs
With our ZEROe programme we are proud continue to be catalysts for secure sustainable
to be the world’s first aerospace company economic growth in the United Kingdom.
to pledge to put a zero emission aircraft into
commercial service by the mid-2030s and We are proud of these achievements.
we continue to promote the acceleration of
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development, Our strong and enduring relationship with
production, and consumption. the United Kingdom is a vital element in
Airbus’ ongoing success. We look forward to
It is important however to stress that numbers continuing to deepen our ties over the years
only tell part of the story when it comes to and decades to come.
Airbus’ relationship with the UK; nearly half of the
world’s air passengers fly on aircraft with wings
that were manufactured at our site in Broughton;
the A400M military transport aircraft played
a pivotal role in the evacuation of people from
Afghanistan thanks to the efforts of our UK-
based teams; and our helicopters are used by
the British Air Ambulance and Police Air Service,
saving lives day in, day out. Our success also Guillaume Faury,
depends on our productivity and this resonates Chief Executive Officer Airbus
with the core tenets of the UK’s Levelling Up plan,
the Plan for Growth, the National Space Strategy
and the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy.
Beyond our operations in aerospace, this
report illustrates the critical significance of our
exports in delivering on the UK’s Global Britain
ambitions. Our global operations and close
ties among our home nations means that in
2019, our £6.1 billion of UK exported products
translated into £1 in every £60 of goods John Harrison,
exported from the UK. General Counsel and UK Chairman Airbus
3
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Airbus is the world’s leading aerospace manufacturer. With over
86,400
125,000 employees, and having delivered more than 13,800
commercial jet aircraft to date—with more than 7,000 on order—
its significant contributions to the aviation industry are set to
continue.
Jobs supported
across the UK The UK is classified as an Airbus home nation and plays an
in 2020. This integral role in its global operations. With more than 25 sites
is compared to spread across the country—spanning the Aerospace, Defence,
128,300 in 2019. Security, and Space sectors—its presence in the UK contributes
to the UK’s aerospace sector being the third largest in Europe
and fourth largest globally.
This study investigates the impact of Airbus on the UK economy.
It considers Airbus’ own operations, the economic activity
supported by its procurement spending, and its payments to
employees. It then explores how this economic footprint creates
social value for communities across the country.
The COVID-19 pandemic created vast challenges for the aviation
industry. The number of global air passengers travelling in 2020
was 60% lower than in 2019, by far the greatest disruption the
industry has ever experienced. This had a substantial impact
on Airbus’ commercial aircraft business in 2020, forcing the
company to move quickly to reduce production levels by 40%
to reflect a drop in demand. We therefore present results for
Airbus’ contribution to the UK economy in 2020 and the pre-
pandemic, ‘normalised’ year of 2019.
A SUMMARY OF THE KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT
£1 in every £92
of goods exported
Airbus’ UK operations generate significant revenues. In 2019, the
company earned £6.8 billion in revenues, £5.5 billion of which
was generated by its Commercial Aircraft division, £1.1 billion
by its Defence and Space division, and in excess of £120 million
from the UK from its Helicopters division. In 2020, reflecting the impact of the
were products COVID-19 pandemic, Airbus generated £4.2 billion in revenues
manufactured by from its UK operations. Airbus’ UK operations continued to earn
Airbus in 2020. significant revenues in 2021, totalling £4.4 billion.
This compares to
The vast majority of this revenue is generated by exports. In 2019,
£1 in every £60 in 2019. Airbus earned £6.1 billion in revenues (or 88% of total revenues)
from customers overseas—a significant contribution to the UK’s
balance of payments. In fact, £1 in every £60 earned by UK firms
from goods exported were products manufactured by Airbus.
4
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
Airbus supports a sizeable contribution to UK GDP. We estimate
£5.6 billion
that Airbus supported a total contribution of £9.3 billion in 2019.
This is the sum of three channels of impact. Some £2.0 billion
was generated by the company itself—its direct impact. Airbus’
sizeable procurement spending with UK suppliers stimulated
a further £4.4 billion contribution to GDP—its indirect impact. Total contribution
And the payment of wages by Airbus, and the firms in its supply to UK GDP
chain, supported a further £3.0 billion contribution to GDP—its supported by
induced impact. Airbus in 2020.
This compares to
In 2020, Airbus’ total contribution to UK GDP declined to
£9.3 billion 2019.
£5.6 billion in the wake of COVID-19. The contribution it
generated itself was £0.5 billion, as profits were impacted
by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its indirect impact supported a
£2.9 billion contribution to GDP, lower than the previous year
owing to reduced procurement spending. The wage-induced
spending attributable to Airbus supported a further £2.1 billion
contribution to GDP.
Airbus supported 128,300 jobs across the country in 2019. The
company directly employed 12,600 people at more than 25 sites
sites across the country. A further 73,800 jobs were supported
along its UK supply chain by its procurement spend. The wage-
induced spending of its employees and those employed in its
supply chain sustained a further 41,800 jobs.
In 2020, the number of jobs Airbus is estimated to have supported
fell to 86,400. The company’s own employment remained fairly
stable at 12,100 employees, but a decline in its procurement
reduced the supply chain jobs to 45,900, with a further 28,400
jobs sustained through wage-induced spending. Airbus’ direct
employment fell to 10,800 in 2021, in response to the COVID-19
pandemic—without the need for compulsory redundancies.
Airbus employees are highly productive. In 2019, the average
2.5 times
gross value added per head produced by Airbus workers was
£155,000. This was 2.5 times the national average, and 1.5 times
the air and space manufacturing average. Owing to the impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic, the average gross value added per
head produced by Airbus workers was £44,400 in 2020. Airbus employees
were 2.5 times
The Commercial Aircraft division was most impacted by the more productive
COVID-19 pandemic. Its total contribution to UK GDP was £7.5 than the national
billion in 2019, and £3.7 billion in 2020. The Defence and Space average in 2019.
division increased its total contribution to the UK economy,
rising from £1.6 billion in 2019, to £1.7 billion in 2020. Similarly
stable, the Helicopters division contributed £212 million to UK
GDP in 2019, and £210 million in 2020.
5
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
This economic impact is spread across the UK. Airbus supports
45%
thousands of jobs in each of the UK’s nations and regions. Most
jobs were supported in the East Midlands—where Airbus spends
the largest share of its procurement (45% in 2019)—with 21,000
jobs. Some 18,500 jobs were supported in the South West, and
The share of 14,300 across Wales.
Airbus’ procurement
spending in the Airbus contributes to the levelling up agenda by spending a
10% most deprived disproportionate amount in deprived areas. Some 45% of its UK
local authorities. procurement (£2.6 billion) in 2019 was with suppliers based in the
10% most deprived local authorities as identified by the Index of
Multiple Deprivation. More than half of Airbus’ procurement is with
businesses in local authorities identified as high priority areas for
the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Airbus supports local communities by paying high wages to
its employees across the country. The wages it pays are on
average 60% higher than the national average. In 98% of the
parliamentary constituencies in which its employees reside,
Airbus pays above the constituency average.
Airbus has a wide impact on the UK by enhancing its productive
potential. It invested £352 million in research and development
in 2019, and £295 million in 2020, equivalent to 5.2% and 7.1% of
its revenue in each year, respectively. There is vast collaboration
involved in this: the company works closely on projects with the
£3.9 billion Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), dozens of UK
universities, and other research institutions.
600
Airbus is investing in the skills of the UK workforce. In 2019 and
2020 it had 532 and 576 apprentices, respectively, across its
sites. This is a significant investment in the upskilling of young
Nearly adults, especially given the nationwide decline in apprenticeships
in 2020. Around one-in-four apprentices in the Flintshire local
The average authority, work and train at Airbus’ Broughton site.
number of
apprentices at Finally, the global aviation industry produces around 2% of all
Airbus in 2020. human-induced CO2 emissions.1 Airbus is addressing this with UK
research and development projects, which form a major part of its
global decarbonisation plans. Its research into sustainable aviation
fuels is centred in the UK. From its site in Filton near Bristol, it is
establishing how more environmentally friendly fuel systems can
be rolled out across the industry; this includes partnering with
universities and building new learning platforms for hydrogen
fuels. At its Filton and Broughton sites, Airbus is also exploring
how future wings can further improve efficiency and reduce
emissions both through the build process and in operations via its
Wing of Tomorrow programme, the company’s largest ongoing
research and development project.
6
1
ATAG, ‘Facts & figures’
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
7
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT
OF AIRBUS IN THE UK
TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT 2019 2020
Contribution to GDP UK jobs supported Tax revenues
£9.3 bn 128,300 £2.0 bn
£5.6 bn 86,400 £1.4 bn
Every £1 in gross value added £1 in every £400 collected
generated in 2019, supported a by HMRC was attributable to
further £3.80 in the UK economy. Airbus activity in 2020.
PRODUCTIVITY UK REVENUE
£155,000 average gross value added £6.8 bn earned in 2019
employee contribution to GDP in 2019, £4.2 bn earned
2.5 times the national average. in 2020
UK SPENDING EXPORTS
£5.8 billion spent with UK suppliers
in 2019, compared to £3.8 billion
in 2020.
3 in 10 of Airbus’ UK suppliers 88% of its UK revenue
are SMEs.
was earned from exports
45% of Airbus’ procurement in 2019 was in 2019, and 82% in 2020.
in the 10% most deprived local authorities.
£1 in every £60 of goods
In 2020, the average wage paid by Airbus exported from the UK in
was 1.6 times the national average. 2019 were Airbus products.
8The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
AIRBUS’ UK OPERATIONS IN 2021 AND BEYOND
14% growth 7,000 outstanding
in revenues commercial
in 2021. aircraft orders.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AIRBUS’ DIVISIONS
Commercial Defence
Helicopters
Aircraft and space
£7.5 billion GDP £1.6 billion GDP £212 million GDP
£3.7 billion GDP £1.7 billion GDP £210 million GDP
104,800 jobs 20,400 jobs 3,200 jobs
64,200 jobs 18,700 jobs 2,900 jobs
£1.7 billion tax £320 million tax £33 million tax
£1.1 billion tax £330 million tax £29 million tax
CATALYTIC IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY
£352 million spent on UK R&D in 2019, Developing zero-
£295 million in 2020. emission commercial
aircraft by 2035.
5.2% of Airbus’ revenue invested in R&D
in 2019, compared to 7.1% in 2020.
400 tonnes of CO2
emissions saved in
£129,000 spent on each of Airbus’ three months by
576 apprentices in 2020.
Broughton Beluga
flights using 35% SAF.
187,000 interactions with young
people at Broughton and Filton sites.
All Airbus commercial
aircraft and helicopters
13,000 ventilators produced by 700 are certified to fly with
Airbus employees in three months. 50% SAF.
9The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
1. INTRODUCTION
Airbus is a global leader in 1.1 AIRBUS IN THE UK
the aerospace industry. It is
among the largest aerospace Airbus is a multinational division. It is the biggest
companies in the world, with company, operating in 180 supplier of large aircraft to
over 125,000 employees, locations around the world. The the Royal Air Force. The
and more than 12,000 direct UK is however an Airbus home A400M Atlas and A330 MRTT
suppliers globally. Its aircraft nation and plays an integral Voyager aircraft, supported
are flown across the world, role in its operations.3 Each directly by Airbus’ Defence
with orders increasing six-fold Airbus division—Commercial and Space division and
since 2000. Indeed, Airbus Aircraft, Defence and Space, the Airbus led consortium
has delivered over 13,800 Helicopters—has activities in AirTanker, respectively,
commercial jet aircraft to the UK, with more than 25 sites provide the backbone of the
more than 450 customers, spread across the country. Its country’s tactical and strategic
with a further 7,000 aircraft presence in the UK contributes airlifting capabilities and
on order.2 Owing to the to the UK’s aerospace sector Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR)
popularity of Airbus’ latest being the third largest in capabilities.7 The company
generation of aircraft, which Europe and fourth largest has owned and operated the
benefit from significant globally.4 The strong ties UK’s secure military satellite
reductions in fuel burn and to Airbus’ multinational communications fleet for
emissions when compared to operations in Europe and more than 18 years, provided
previous generation aircraft, beyond are in keeping with the more than 250 satellite
its significant contribution to Government’s Global Britain communication (SatCom)
the aviation industry is set international ambitions.5 terminals to the Ministry of
to continue. Defence, and delivers the UK’s
Airbus is the largest commercial Defence fixed network and in
aircraft company in the UK theatre-networks, with more
and its biggest civil aerospace than 130 military campaign
exporter. The majority of wings medals awarded to Airbus
fitted to Airbus’ commercial employees, in recognition
aircraft are engineered and built of their support to the front
in the UK. Indeed, nearly half line. Airbus’ Cyber Security
of the world’s air passengers business, based in Newport
fly on Airbus wings designed in South Wales, protects the
in the South West (Filton) and Ministry of Defence’s vast
manufactured in North Wales secure communications
(Broughton). network at home and overseas.
It also delivers NATO’s
However, Airbus’ footprint in Deployable Communication
the UK extends far beyond its and Information System, and
commercial aircraft. It is also is one of a small number of
Britain’s largest space company, sovereign suppliers for high-
with operations spread across grade cryptography.
the UK—it has worked on
missions including the ExoMars In addition, the company also
rover and the Solar Orbiter.6 represents around 50% of
the UK’s civil helicopter fleet,
Airbus contributes to the UK’s providing aircraft and support
National Security Objectives to the Air Ambulance, Police Air
with its sizeable Defence Service, and Ministry of Defence.
2
Airbus, ‘Orders and deliveries - Commercial Aircraft’
3
Airbus defines its home nations as France, Germany, Spain and the UK
10 4
Airbus Defence and Space Group statistics
5
HM Government, (2019), ‘Global Britain: delivering on our international ambition’
6
Airbus (2016), ‘ExoMars - The heat is on!’; Airbus (2020), ‘Solar Orbiter is ready for its close-up with the Sun’
7
Airbus, ‘Airbus in the United Kingdom’The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
1.2 MOTIVATION FOR THE REPORT
The COVID-19 pandemic With an economic footprint • Chapter 3 provides an early
created vast challenges for the spread across the UK, Airbus indication of the revenue
aviation industry. The number supports societal goals. As earned and employment
of global air passengers such we address the wider for Airbus’ UK operations in
travelling in 2020 was 60% impact of Airbus’ footprint on 2021. We then consider how
lower than the previous year.8 UK society. This includes its the company’s economic
This had a major impact contribution to the upskilling impact will evolve, including
on the demand for new of young people across the with its recent investments.
aircraft and businesses like country, the advancement
Airbus which manufacture of innovative disruptive • Chapter 4 outlines Airbus’
impact in communities
them. With that in mind, this technologies with its
across the UK, considering
report seeks to provide a research programmes, and its
how its activities are
comprehensive assessment of integration within many local
supporting the ‘levelling up’
Airbus’ contribution to the UK communities and universities.
of the UK economy.
in a ‘normal year’, 2019, and
investigates what happened This report also captures • Chapter 5 investigates the
in the year of the pandemic, Airbus’ environmental separate contributions to
2020. We also look to present impact in the UK. It the UK economy of Airbus’
early indication of Airbus’ considers two aspects: how divisions—Commercial
operations in the year 2021. Airbus is managing the Aircraft, Defence and Space,
environmental footprint and Helicopters.
Airbus has a global supply of industrial operations;
chain, it stimulates economic and how its product • Chapter 6 analyses
how Airbus boosts the
activity around the world. This development is contributing
productive potential of the
study uses a global model to the decarbonisation of the
UK economy through its
to estimate the impact of industry.
R&D and upskilling of staff.
the company’s spending and
how it feeds back into the The report is structured as • Chapter 7 assesses the
UK economy. follows: impacts of the company’s
social and environmental
With a sizeable presence in • Chapter 2 explores the
sustainability commitments
economic contribution
communities throughout the in the UK.
Airbus made to the UK
UK, Airbus’ impact reaches
all of the UK’s nations and
economy in 2019 and • Chapter 8 concludes our
2020, through the GDP, findings.
regions. To explore how Airbus
employment, and tax
is contributing to these local
revenues it supported.
areas and the ‘levelling up’
agenda across the UK, the
impact analysis herein have
been undertaken at this
local level.
8
ICAO, (2022), ‘Effects of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Civil Aviation: Economic Impact Analysis 11The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
This report analyses Airbus’ economic impact We analyse these channels of impact using
across three core channels. These are the: three core metrics:
• Direct impact, which is the economic • Employment (measured on a headcount
activity that Airbus itself generates at its basis);
UK facilities;
• Gross value added contribution to UK
• Indirect impact, or supply chain impact, GDP; and,
that occurs because Airbus buys inputs of
• Tax receipts generated by the UK activity
goods and services from UK businesses,
and employment supported by Airbus.
and Airbus’ international suppliers (or
businesses in their supply chain) buy
While most economic impact studies assess
inputs of goods and services from UK
these effects based only on spending that
businesses;
occurs within the country of interest, this
• Induced impact, or wage-financed report goes further, to assess the impact
spending impact, which is the economic of Airbus’ global activities. This is a more
activity stimulated from both Airbus comprehensive approach that is suited
and Airbus’ suppliers’ wage payments to to companies with a global footprint, like
employees. Airbus. A detailed methodology discussion is
in the appendix to this report.
Fig. 1: Illustrating the channels of economic impact
DIRECT Airbus employs lots of staff. Its operations generate
IMPACT GDP and tax for the authorities.
It also spends money with
INDIRECT suppliers who employ staff,
IMPACT generate GDP and pay taxes.
They use other suppliers in turn.
Employees (including of the
suppliers) spend their
INDUCED wages in the wider
IMPACT
economy, generating more
GDP, jobs and tax revenues.
Added together, these three
TOTAL effects—direct, indirect,
IMPACT induced—comprise the total
economic impact of Airbus.
12The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
GLOSSARY AIRBUS DIVISIONS
Direct impact: The impact of Airbus at its Airbus is not a single entity, but rather a
operational sites in the UK. collection of companies across the world
operating under the Airbus umbrella.
Employment: The number of employees and Included in this study are those located
self-employed. in the UK: Airbus Operations, Airbus
Defence and Space, Airbus Helicopters
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The most UK, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited
commonly used metric to assess the health (SSTL), NavBlue. Airbus also owns 29.5%
of the UK economy. It is often used to of AirTanker Services Limited and 46.1%
determine if the economy has entered or of AirTanker Limited. In compiling the
exited a recession. It is equal to the gross aggregate results, we consider only the
value added of all firms in the UK economy, Airbus’ share of these companies’ total
after minor adjustments for taxes and impact, factoring in the change in ownership
subsidies. structure that occurred in November 2020.
Gross Value Added (GVA): The value a Fig. 2: Airbus’ divisions in this report
company generates through its activities.
It equates to a company’s revenue minus Commercial Defence and Helicopters
the cost of bought-in goods and services Aircraft Space
used up in the production of that revenue.
Airbus Airbus Defence Airbus
The sum of gross value added across all
Operations and Space Helicopters
companies in an economy is equal to GDP,
after minor adjustments for taxes and NavBlue SSTL
subsidies.
AirTanker
(Airbus’ share)
Indirect impact: Economic activity stimulated
by Airbus’ purchases of inputs of goods and
services from its supply chain. This report excludes MBDA—a joint
venture between Airbus, Leonardo, and
Induced impact: Economic activity BAE Systems. Airbus owns 37.5% of the
stimulated by Airbus and Airbus’ suppliers’ business. Its UK division, based in Stevenage,
wage payments to employees. employed 3,987 people in 2020 and earned
revenues of £930 million.9
Procurement: The spending on inputs of
goods and services with Airbus’ suppliers
around the world.
Productivity: A measure of value added
produced in a given period of time, per unit
of labour input—such as value added per job
per annum (as in this report).
9
MBDA UK Limited 2020 Statutory Accounts published with Companies House. 13The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy 14
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
15The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
2. T
HE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF
AIRBUS IN THE UK
Airbus has an economic 2.1 DIRECT IMPACT
footprint that is realised across
the UK. It employs over 12,000 Airbus in the UK earned £6.8 The company makes a
people at more than 25 sites— billion in revenues in 2019. significant contribution to the
designing, manufacturing, The majority was generated UK’s exports. In 2019, it earned
and delivering its portfolio of by its Commercial Aircraft £6.1 billion (or 88% of total
products around the world. division, at £5.5 billion; with its revenues) from customers
Below we quantify Airbus’ Defence and Space division overseas (Fig. 3). This means
full economic footprint in the generating £1.1 billion; and that £1 in every £60 earned
UK in terms of its gross value the Helicopters division by UK firms, from goods
added contribution to GDP, the generating £122 million. In exported, were products
employment it supports, and 2020, the sharp decline in manufactured by Airbus.10 This
the tax revenues it generates. air passenger travel due to is a considerable contribution
the COVID-19 pandemic and to the UK Government’s
In this chapter, we explore associated travel restrictions, strategy of increasing the
each channel of Airbus’ impact adversely impacted the airline share of GDP consisting of
on the UK, starting with the industry and the demand for exports from 30% to 35%.11
direct contribution of its own new aircraft. This, plus the
operations. After this we need for social distancing In 2020, Airbus exported
consider two further channels measures and the resulting £3.4 billion worth of
of impact; the purchases limited production levels, goods—82% of its revenues.
Airbus makes from its suppliers resulted in Airbus’ UK revenue Such business cultivates
stimulating further economic falling to £4.2 billion in 2020— international relationships
activity across the country (its this includes £2.9 billion in and contributes to the
indirect impact); and the wages revenues from Commercial Government’s Global Britain
paid to its employees—and Aircraft, £1.0 billion from the ambitions.
those employed in its supply Defence and Space division,
chain—funding consumer and £184 million from the
spending and delivering Helicopters division.
additional economic benefits to
the UK (its induced impact). Fig. 3: Airbus’ UK exports by customer location
Americas Americas
Other Other
£4.2 billion
1% 1%
Asia 0% Asia 0%
2% 2%
UK
12% UK
Airbus earned £4.2 billion in 18%
revenue in 2020. This compares
to £6.8 billion in 2019. 2019 2020
Europe
Europe 79%
86%
Source: Airbus
10
HMRC, (2020), 'UK Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics - Summary of 2019 Trade in Goods'
16 11
HM Government, (2018), 'Export Strategy: supporting and connecting businesses to grow on the world stage'The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
Airbus directly generated Airbus employed 12,621 people, employment fell to 10,800 in
a gross value added on average, across the UK in 2021 as part of the company’s
contribution to UK GDP of 2019. That is equivalent to 14% response to the initial impacts
£2.0 billion in 2019. This is of the total employment of the COVID-19 had on the aviation
a measurement of the value air and space manufacturing industry (without resorting to
added created by Airbus for sector that year. The majority compulsory redundancy).
the UK economy, calculated as of Airbus’ employment was
the sum of its UK profits and at its Commercial Aircraft The jobs at Airbus span a
wage payments. In 2019, its UK Broughton site in North variety of disciplines. Most
profits were over £1.1 billion and Wales (44%), followed by its are in manufacturing and
the compensation paid to UK Commercial Aircraft Filton site engineering roles (37% each
employees was £830 million. near Bristol (22%), the Defence in 2020), with a further 24%
This is a significant contribution and Space site in Stevenage in administration roles (Fig.
to the UK economy—equivalent (10%), and the Defence and 4). More than two-thirds of
to 31% of the total gross value Space site in Portsmouth Airbus’ UK jobs are in the civil
added generated by the air and (8%). The remaining roles domain (68%), while 26% are
space manufacturing sector were spread across more in defence, and the remaining
(SIC 30.3) that year.12 than 20 further sites across 5% are dual-use.
the country. In 2020, Airbus
As the COVID-19 pandemic employed on average 12,134
82%
impacted the aviation industry people across the UK. The
in 2020, the company made fall in its employment versus
a UK net loss of £260 million. the previous year was 4%,
However, it still paid £799 significantly smaller than the
million in wages to employees contraction in its contribution of its revenue was earned from
across the UK. Its own to GDP, as Airbus retained exports in 2020. This compares
contribution to UK GDP was the majority of its skills to 88% in 2019.
therefore £539 million in 2020. base in 2020. Airbus’ direct
Fig. 4: Airbus’ direct employment in the UK
Manufacturing Engineering Administration Other
Employees
14,000
12,621 2%
12,134 1%
12,000
23%
24%
10,000
8,000
37% 37%
6,000
4,000
38% 37%
2,000
0
2019 2020
Source: Airbus Figures may not sum due to rounding
12
Office for National Statistics (ONS), (2021), ‘Annual Business Survey - 2019 Results. The ONS use the Standard industrial
classification of economic activities (SIC) to define industries.’ 17The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
Fig. 5: Airbus workers’ gross value added per job versus national averages in 2019
Gross value added per job (£)
160,000
155,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
103,800
80,000
60,000 66,900
61,500
40,000
20,000
0
UK - average UK manufacturing - UK air and spacecraft Airbus
average manufacturing (30.3) -
Source: Airbus, ONS average
Airbus employees are highly average Gross Value Added
£155,000
productive. The average Gross per head produced by Airbus
Value Added per head—a workers was £44,400 in 2020.
measure of productivity—of
Airbus workers in the UK was Airbus and its employees paid
average gross value added
£155,000 in 2019. This is 2.5 £203 million in taxes to the UK
contribution to GDP by each of times the national average, Exchequer in 2019, and £159
Airbus’ employees in 2019. and 1.5 times the air and million in 2020. This includes
This is 2.5 times the national space manufacturing sector £214 million in labour taxes in
productivity average. average (Fig. 5).13 Having 2019, and £219 million in 2020.
high productivity workers is Net receipts of R&D relief are
important because it boosts deducted from the total, along
the price competitiveness of with furlough contributions
UK products and the standard claimed in 2020, while VAT
of living for the UK’s residents. payments are not included.
This also helps to address This is a notable contribution
the UK’s historic productivity to the UK Exchequer—these
gap with the other six G7 payments are each sufficient in
economies.14 One of the main size to fund, for instance, both
aims of the Government’s the Government’s Build Back
Defence and Security Greener (£160 million) and the
Industrial Strategy (DSIS) is to UK Community Renewal Fund
“strengthen the productivity (£220 million) projects.16
and resilience of the defence
and security sectors”.15
Following the impacts of
the COVID-19 pandemic, the
13
The gross value added per worker averages are calculated using ONS data on total gross value added (GDP output approach –
low-level aggregates data set) and total employment (Labour Force Survey).
18 14
ONS, (2022) ‘International comparisons of UK productivity (ICP), final estimates: 2020’
15
HM Government, (2021), ‘Defence and Security Industrial Strategy: A strategic approach to the UK’s defence and security industrial sectors’
16
HM Government, (2020), ‘New plans to make UK world leader in green energy’; Department for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities (2020), ‘UK Community Renewal Fund: prospectus’The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
2.2 INDIRECT IMPACT
Airbus has a broad and diverse We estimate Airbus’ global The activity supported along
supply chain that spans the procurement stimulated a Airbus’ supply chain also
world. UK businesses are £4.4 billion gross value added contributes tax revenues to the
important suppliers to Airbus’ contribution to UK GDP, along UK government. Businesses
operations both in the UK and its UK supply chain in 2019. in its supply chain pay
globally. Airbus’ purchases Owing to the fall in Airbus’ corporation tax and other taxes
of goods and services from procurement, the equivalent on production and products.
UK businesses stimulate figure was £2.9 billion in 2020. Equally, the people employed
economic activity throughout in these businesses pay income
the economy. This economic activity is tax and National Insurance
estimated to have supported Contributions. Considering all
Airbus spends billions of 73,800 jobs with UK suppliers of these taxes, we estimate
pounds with UK businesses in 2019. Considering the that Airbus’ UK supply chain
each year. In 2019, Airbus spent sectors in which these jobs activities raised almost £1.0
£5.8 billion on inputs of goods were supported, 26,200 billion for the Exchequer in
and services with more than (or 35% of the total) were 2019, and £670 million in 2020.
3,300 UK suppliers. This was in the transport equipment
£3.8 billion
12% of its global procurement manufacturing sector; a
spend (Fig. 6). With the further 11,900 jobs were
COVID-19 pandemic impacting supported in the business
the demand for commercial services sector; with 6,800
aircraft in 2020, this figure fell jobs sustained in the wholesale
to £3.8 billion with 2,900 UK and retail trade sector (Fig. 7). spent with UK suppliers in 2020.
suppliers. Included in Airbus’ In 2020, we estimate 45,900 In 2019, Airbus spent £5.8 billion
supply chain are hundreds jobs were supported along with UK suppliers.
of small- and medium-sized Airbus’ UK supply chain.
businesses (SMEs). Indeed,
nearly three-in-10 of Airbus’
direct UK suppliers are SMEs.
3 in 10
Fig. 6: Airbus’ procurement of goods and services
£ billion
60
Rest of the World UK
49.6
50 of Airbus’ UK suppliers are SMEs.
5.8 (12%)
40 36.0
3.8 (11%)
30
43.8
20
32.3
10
0
2019 2020
Source: Airbus Figures may not sum due to rounding
19The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
Fig. 7: Airbus’ indirect employment supported by sector in 201917
Transport equipment
26.2
manufacturing (30)
Business services
(69-82) 11.9
Wholesale and retail trade
6.8
(45-47)
Machinery and equipment
5.8
(28)
Transportation and storage
2.6
(49-53)
Computer, electronic
1.9
and optical (26)
Financial activities
1.6
(64-66)
Fabricated metal
1.6
products (25)
IT services
1.5
(63-63)
Construction
1.5
(41-43)
Accomodation and
1.2
food services (55-56)
Other 11.2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Source: Oxford Economics Thousands
2.3 INDUCED IMPACT
1.6 times
In 2020, the average wage paid
The wage-financed spending of
those employed by Airbus, or in
its supply chain, form a further
channel through which it
Airbus pays high wages to
its employees relative to
those available in the whole
economy. The average wage it
by Airbus was 1.6 times the contributes to the UK economy. paid in the UK in 2020 was 1.6
national average. Employees make purchases times the national average.18 In
at retail, leisure and other each of the UK’s nations and
outlets throughout the country; regions in which its employees
these purchases stimulate reside, the average wage it
further activity, adding value, paid was at least one-quarter
sustaining employment, and higher than the region’s
raising tax revenues. average—supporting further
wage-induced activity in the
consumer economy (Fig. 8).
17
Numbers are the relevant SIC code definitions for the industries.
20 18
ONS, (2020), 'Employee earnings in the UK: 2020'The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
Fig. 8: Average annual gross pay in 2020
£
60,000
Median resident salary Average Airbus salary
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
st
t
s
s
d
on
st
t
es
om
es
es
nd
nd
an
Ea
Ea
al
nd
W
W
gd
la
la
gl
W
th
h
Lo
id
id
En
th
h
in
ut
or
ut
M
tM
K
or
So
of
N
So
st
d
N
es
te
Ea
st
W
ni
Ea
Source: Airbus, ONS
U
We estimate that wage- We estimate that this same The wage-financed spending
financed spending attributable wage-financed spending of those employed by
to Airbus supported a supported a £2.1 billion value Airbus and in its supply-
£3.0 billion value added added contribution to UK GDP chain supports a further
contribution to UK GDP in in 2020, sustaining 28,400 tax contribution to the UK
2019, sustaining a further UK jobs. The majority of this Exchequer. In 2019, these tax
41,800 UK jobs in that year. difference can be explained by revenues were an estimated
Most roles were supported in the fall in the number of roles £830 million, and over £600
the health and social sector supported in Airbus’ UK supply million in 2020.
(8,300 jobs, or 25% of the chain, an effect of Airbus’
total) and the wholesale and reduction in procurement
retail trade sector (8,000, or spending for 2020.
24% of the total).
21The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
2.4 TOTAL IMPACT
This chapter has shown In 2020, Airbus’ gross value The activity and employment
how Airbus’ impact on the added contribution to UK GDP supported by Airbus generated
UK extends far beyond was £5.6 billion. This total was significant tax revenues for the
the operations at its own affected by both the fall in UK Exchequer. We estimate
facilities. Its total economic profitability impacting Airbus’ Airbus’ operations raised
footprint in the UK is the direct gross value added more than £2.0 billion in tax
sum of the aforementioned contribution, and the impact revenues in 2019, with the
direct, indirect, and induced of reduced procurement majority raised along its UK
impacts. By combining these spending on the indirect and supply chain and by the wage-
three channels of impact, we induced channels. induced spending it sustains. To
estimate Airbus supported a place this number in context,
£9.3 billion contribution to UK Airbus supported 128,300 this means £1 in every £310
GDP in 2019, with a gross value jobs across the UK in 2019, a collected by HMRC in 2019
added multiplier estimated to figure greater than the total can be attributed to Airbus’
be 4.8 (Fig. 9). This means for employment of Portsmouth activity.19 Put another way, this
every £1 in gross value added or York. The company itself total could be used to fund 42%
generated by the company employed nearly 13,000 of the Government’s Levelling
itself, it supported a further people across the UK (10% Up Fund, or the Catch-up
£3.80 around the rest of the of the total). Mirroring the education programme twice-
UK economy through its case with its contribution to over.20 In 2020, we estimate
expenditure. Owing to the GDP, Airbus supported the Airbus supported more
extensive and sizeable nature greatest number of people than £1.4 billion in total tax
of Airbus’ UK supply chain, the through its procurement: an payments, meaning £1 in every
indirect channel accounted estimated 73,800 jobs with UK £400 collected by HMRC in
for nearly half (47%) of this suppliers, or 58% of the total 2020 can again be attributed to
contribution (Fig. 9). To put (Fig. 10). Finally, Airbus and Airbus’ activity.
these numbers into context, its suppliers’ wage payments
Airbus’ total contribution to supported 41,800 UK jobs
GDP was similar in size to (33% the total).
that produced by the city of
Southampton. We estimate Airbus’ activities
sustained 86,400 jobs across
the country in 2020. Its
£5.6 billion
direct employment in the UK
decreased slightly to above
12,000, with the majority
of the decline being in jobs
In 2020, Airbus supported a supported along its UK supply
£5.6 billion contribution to UK chain, owing to its reduced
GDP, 86,400 UK jobs and more procurement of UK goods and
than £1.4 billion in tax revenue. services. This impact spreads
into its induced employment
impact also, as reduced activity
in the supply chain impacts
how much those employed by
Airbus’ suppliers spend in the
consumer economy.
19
HMRC, (2021), ‘HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK’
22 20
HM Treasury, (2021), ‘Levelling Up Fund: prospectus’; Department for Education, (2021), ‘Catch-up premium’The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
Fig. 9: Airbus’ gross value added contribution to UK GDP
£ million
10
9.3
9
8 3.0 3.0
7
6 5.6
5
2.1 2.1
4.4 4.4
4
3
2 2.9 2.9
1 2.0 2.0
0.5 0.5
0
Direct Indirect Induced Total Direct Indirect Induced Total
2019 2020
Source: Airbus, Oxford Economics Figures may not sum due to rounding
Fig. 10: Airbus’ contribution to UK employment
Thousands
140
128.3
120
41.8 41.8
100
86.4
80
28.4 28.4
60
73.8 73.8
40
45.9 45.9
20
12.6 12.6 12.1 12.1
0
Direct Indirect Induced Total Direct Indirect Induced Total
2019 2020
Source: Airbus, Oxford Economics Figures may not sum due to rounding
23The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy 24
The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
25The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
3. A
IRBUS’ UK OPERATIONS IN
2021 AND BEYOND
This study was published in Airbus’ long-term commitment to an average of 45 aircraft
March 2022, when sufficient to the UK continued through per month in Q4 2021, with
detail to conduct a full 2021 as the aviation industry the vast majority of wings
economic impact assessment endured restrictions and manufactured in Broughton.21,22
for 2021 was not available. reduced passenger numbers. This is higher than the average
Instead, this section seeks There was some recovery of 40 aircraft per month
to provide an indication of in commercial aviation—the produced in 2020 (from April
Airbus’ activity in the UK total number of global air onwards), but still below the
during 2021 using preliminary passengers was 49% below 2019 record-high levels of 60
management accounts. 2019 levels, compared to aircraft per month.23
60% below in 2020—creating
speculative demand for the
14%
future and permitting Airbus
to increase production levels.
Having reduced production
rates to 30 aircraft per month
growth in revenues in 2021. in Q2 2020, Airbus increased
its A320 production rate
3.1 AIRBUS’ ACTIVITY IN THE UK IN 2021
Airbus’ UK operations Fig. 11: Airbus UK-operations’ revenue and employment,
continued to earn significant 2019 to 2021
revenues in 2021, totalling £4.8 Employment (left-hand axis) Revenue (right-hand axis)
billion.24 This marks a slight
Jobs £ billion
increase on its 2020 revenues.
Initial management accounts 14,000 7.0
suggest nearly three-quarters 6.8
of this total were generated 12,000 12,621 6.0
by the Commercial Aircraft 12,134
division, while the Defence and 10,000 10,755 5.0
Space division generated more 4.8
than £1 billion in revenues—
8,000 4.2 4.0
similar to both 2019 and
2020. For further context, the
company has posted positive 6,000 3.0
global results for 2021, earning
revenues of €52 billion for 4,000 2.0
2021—up 4% compared to
2020—and profits of €4.8 2,000 1.0
billion, compared to €1.7 billion
in 2020 (finalised UK results
0 0.0
were not yet available at time 2019 2020 2021
of publishing).25 Source: Airbus
21
Airbus, (2021), ‘Airbus provides suppliers with an update on production plans’
22
Airbus aircraft assembled in Tianjin, China are equipped with domestically manufactured wings.
26 23
Airbus Operations Limited, ‘Annual report and financial statements (2019 and 2020)’
24
Preliminary Airbus UK company accounts, subject to external audit, prior to publication
25
Airbus, (2022), ‘Airbus reports strong Full-Year (FY) 2021 results’The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
The company underwent 3.2 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
restructuring associated with
lower production levels in Looking ahead, with more than Not only will these orders
2020 and 2021. Its workforce 7,000 outstanding orders for increase activity and job
reduced to 10,800 employees commercial aircraft, there is security at the Airbus
across the UK. While this is scope for production levels to facilities that design, test, and
below its pre-pandemic level, rise far beyond the 2019 levels manufacture components
the impact on Airbus’ direct that supported the economic (most significantly the wings),
employment has been limited activity primarily evaluated but they will increase Airbus’
relative to the fall in its revenues, in this report. Using our procurement of other goods
as the company has looked previous example of the A320 and services. Some 56% of
to retain its skills base and family, Airbus plans to raise the procurement undertaken
manufacturing capacity. Its production of these aircraft to by Airbus’ UK operations are
2021 revenues were 30% below 75 per month by 2025. spent within the UK.
those realised in 2019, but its
workforce was only 15% smaller Airbus scaling up production
7,000
(Fig. 11), retaining its skills base will impact the UK in a
for the future. It is worth noting number of ways. For one, the
that, while there are no data vast majority of wings for
available yet on the contraction the A320, A330, and A350
in employment within the air families—for which there are outstanding orders for
and space manufacturing sector more than 6,600 outstanding commercial aircraft.
specifically, however the total orders (Fig. 12)—are
number of people employed in manufactured at Airbus’ plant
UK manufacturing was 9% lower in Broughton, North Wales.27
in 2021, compared to 2019.26
Fig. 12: Outstanding orders for Airbus commercial aircraft
6,000
5,839
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
475 312 456
0
A220 A320 family A330 A350
Wings manufactured
in Belfast (Spirit)
Source: Airbus Annual Report 2020
ONS, (2021) ‘EMP13: Employment by industry’ Note—first three quarters of the year only.
26
Airbus, ‘Orders & Deliveries December 2021’. Note—Airbus aircraft assembled in Tianjin, China are equipped with domestically
27
manufactured wings. 27The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
An increase in production Airbus’ continued commitment entirely in the UK, supporting
levels will also benefit Airbus’ to the UK extends beyond the UK Space Agency initiative
UK suppliers who sell to its its commercial aircraft. For for sovereign UK end-to-
overseas operations. This instance, the company is end satellite production and
includes the A220 wings contracted to expand and support.28 These commitments
it purchases from Spirit enhance the Ministry of are especially important
AeroSystems in Belfast, plus Defence’s Skynet fleet. This given the UK Government’s
its vast spending on engines will involve the UK-based 2021 integrated defence
manufactured by Rolls-Royce development, manufacture, and security review and the
in Derby. cyber protection, assembly, defence space strategy, which
and integration of the Skynet highlighted the important
Indeed, the positive impacts 6A military communications connection between the UK’s
of increased manufacturing, satellite—a programme which sovereign capability in the
along with other planned is planned to sustain 550 high- space sector and securing
projects across Airbus, would value UK jobs and is scheduled the UK’s future security
span all three of the company’s for launch in 2025. It will be and prosperity.
channels of economic impact the first time a modern era
in the future—as demonstrated geostationary satellite is
during ‘normal’ 2019 operations. designed, built, and tested
3.3 AIRBUS’ RECENT INVESTMENTS IN THE UK
£250 million
To deliver increased These two investments alone
production levels in the future, equate to 6% of its revenue
Airbus has invested substantial in the year, of significant
sums in its UK operations in note given the operating
2021. With significant notable environment.
spent buying the land at its investments including:
Broughton and Filton sites
in 2021. • £250 million to purchase
the land on which its Filton
and Broughton sites are
operating.
• £35 million to construct
Orbit House, Airbus
Defence and Space’s new
headquarters, opened in
2021 by the Prime Minister.29
28
HM Government, (2021), ‘National Space Strategy’
28 29
The Comet, (2021), ‘Prime Minister Boris Johnson opens Airbus’ new £35 million facility’The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
29The impact of Airbus on the UK Economy
CASE STUDY: AEROSPACE INTEGRATED
RESEARCH AND TEST CENTRE, AIRTeC
In 2021, Secretary of State for Business, Energy As well as being used to test aerospace
and Industrial Strategy formally opened the structures, Airbus is exploring use of these
£100 million Aerospace Integrated Research facilities for UK research activities outside of
and Test Centre (AIRTeC) at Airbus’ Filton the aerospace sector, including for example,
site.30 The research and testing facility, jointly reinforcing domestic capabilities within the UK’s
funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute, nuclear and maritime industries.
ATI (£40 million) and Airbus (£60 million),
is designed to test aircraft parts from wings The facility is critical to Airbus’ largest research
down to individual components, along with programme to date, the Wing of Tomorrow (as
providing advanced research laboratories and discussed in Chapter 6), and will be, according
collaborative office spaces to both Airbus and to Airbus, a key asset in helping to accelerate
their external partners. the development of commercial, globally
operating, zero-emission aircraft.
The AIRTeC facility is designed to contribute
to Airbus’ strategic plan within the UK to During the opening launch event John Harrison,
accelerate the design, manufacture, testing, General Counsel and UK Chairman of Airbus,
certification and commercial operation of said:
future zero-emission aircraft.
“Airbus makes a significant contribution to the
AIRTeC includes 65,000m² of specialist test UK aerospace industry and we are delighted
space featuring, to welcome the Secretary of State to help us
showcase our fantastic facility. AIRTeC will take
• A 40-metre-long strong floor and two strong
our research and testing capabilities at Filton
walls capable of testing two full-size wings
to the next level and will make us even more
simultaneously. The adaptable modular facility
competitive for the future.”
can be used to test the ultimate strength of
wings or to understand the lifespan of designs
Joint investment projects like this—between
under realistic operating conditions.
the UK Government and Airbus—are resulting
• A high-capacity loading machine—capable of in the UK developing sovereign expertise in
applying forces up to 25MN, equivalent to the advanced industrial products and processes,
weight of over 200 double decker buses, or including those targeting decarbonisation.
over 2,500 cars being stacked atop a wing.31
• Extensive laboratory capabilities to condition
test items pre-test and examine them again
down to a molecular level post-test.
30
Airbus, (2021), ‘U.K. Secretary of State launches the joint-funded Aerospace Integrated Research and Test Centre’
31
Assumption made that a double decker bus weighs 12 tonnes and an average car weighs 1 tonne.
30You can also read
